The Chicago Bears, one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, have never hosted a Super Bowl. It’s not surprising considering the typical weather around here at this time of year, but a future domed stadium might change things.

During a Monday press conference regarding the upcoming Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell weighed in on the future of the franchise.

“I think, as we’ve seen here, a great stadium can host additional events. I think that’s true with Chicago,” Goodell said during the press conference for Super Bowl 58, being held at the domed multi-purpose Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. “I think the domed stadium that they’re talking about, both downtown and also potentially in Arlington [Heights], I think those are both great opportunities that they need to explore. The good news is that they’ve got quite a bit of time on their lease.”

The Bears have a lease at Soldier Field through 2033. Soldier Field, which opened in 1924, is the NFL’s oldest stadium. The Bears began playing there in 1971 after leaving Wrigley Field. It has a football game capacity of 61,500 fans.

Last week, Crain’s Chicago Business reported the Bears have switched their focus for a new stadium from Arlington Heights to the Chicago lakefront. The report refers to “multiple sources in government and close to the team” telling Crain’s staying in Chicago is the “real goal,” not just a negotiation tactic for better taxes on the former Arlington Park property in Arlington Heights.

At a Jan. 30 tax hearing in front of the Cook County Board of Review, attorneys representing the football team said the former horse racing track should be valued at $60 million, while several local school districts are suggesting it to be $160 million.

The three Arlington Heights school districts — Community Consolidated School District 15, High School District 211, and High School District 214 — had the same appraisal in December.

Commissioner Samantha Steele, who said both sides made “compelling arguments,” told Patch a final decision would be made by the end of February by the Cook County Board if an agreement can’t be reached between the two sides. She is encouraging the parties to negotiate a deal.

In 2020, the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium opened in Las Vegas, home of the NFL’s Raiders, as well as the University of Las Vegas football team and host of the Las Vegas Bowl. In 2022, the Bears hired the stadium’s architect, Kansas City-based Manica Architecture, to assist in the conceptual design process for a state-of-the-art facility at the former site of Arlington International Racetrack. The Bears purchased the 309-acre property for $196 million in February 2023.

In recent months, team officials have also met with representatives from other suburbs, including Naperville, Aurora and Waukegan, for potential stadiums, but momentum appears to be shifting toward the Bears staying in Chicago.

“I am focused on making sure that we build the most progressive, smartly priced, on-time, under-budget stadium development project that’s ever been built in the National Football League,” Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Bears, said at an end-of-season news conference last month. “So that’s what we’re focused on every single day.”

In its report, Crain’s credits Warren for the team’s change in focus to Chicago since his hiring in January 2023. The newspaper also noted the Bears have had “smooth” meetings with new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, versus a “tepid” relationship with former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

“The Bears are committed to being in Chicagoland,” Goodell said. “I talked to the Mayor of Chicago recently. He wants them in the city. Arlington wants it out in Arlington. I think they will be able to develop a proposal that will be good for the fans, but I think will also be great for Chicago.”