(1) The overwhelming majority of folks I spoke to in the city were fundamentally opposed to the Bears leaving the city for Arlington Heights. (They were also resigned to that fate.) Fans on the south side, and those on the southern outskirts, told me it will take them two hours to get a game in Arlington.
(2) Younger fans are optimistic about the 2025 Bears. But older fans, say 60 and above, have very little interest in the team. Said an ex-cop to me, “They haven’t won since the Reagan administration. Why would they win now?”
(3) Had coffee with someone deeply connected inside Halas Hall. They told me that while Ryan Poles is well liked inside the building, the sense is that Ben Johnson is the top dog now. The relationship they compared it to is Sean McVay and Les Snead in Los Angeles.