Chicago Bears executives say they still have significant work ahead before choosing a location for a new stadium, but their latest update has fans and officials in Hammond feeling increasingly optimistic about the team's future across the state line.
The Bears emphasized they are not rushing a decision. Though Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said the team's comments and the sites under review suggest positive momentum for Indiana. At Frankie V's Bar in Hammond, longtime fans said the developments feel like a win for the city.
"I believe they're ready to move here, definitely," Bears fan Mark Morario said.
Bears President Kevin Warren said Thursday that the Lost Marsh Golf Course site has been deemed a viable option for a new stadium. The team is now awaiting results from environmental and soil studies at a second location at the Wolf Lake Terminals. McDermott said he believes the Wolf Lake site is the preferred option, noting the Bears initially proposed it.
"You're literally on a little peninsula that have a 110-acre island that goes out into Wolf Lake," McDermott said. "And if you're doing blimp shots of the game and you want to get Chicago in the background, you'll see the stadium, Wolf Lake, and the city of Chicago. And it's beautiful."

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