SouthernWorldwide.com – The Chicago Bears are reportedly considering a significant move to Indiana, a development that has sparked strong reactions from fans and even some prominent figures, including WWE NXT champion Tony D’Angelo.
D’Angelo, who hails from Oak Park, Illinois, and is a devoted Bears supporter, expressed his dismay at the prospect of the team relocating to Hammond, Indiana. He shared his thoughts on the potential move, emphasizing the deep connection the team has with its home city.
“I understand the business side of things, maybe not moving to Arlington Heights, which isn’t that far from the city, due to money and taxes. I get it. You have to do what’s best for the organization,” D’Angelo stated.
“But completely moving out of Illinois? That’s just bonkers to me. The Indiana Bears? That is just horrible. It doesn’t sound right,” he continued, highlighting the emotional attachment fans have to the team’s identity tied to Chicago.
He elaborated on the unique atmosphere and historical significance of the Bears playing in Chicago, particularly mentioning the iconic lakefront stadium. The idea of losing that connection seemed to weigh heavily on him.
“They have to figure it out because there’s something about going to the city, and it’s right on Lake Michigan. The whole scene, the history behind it, it just all makes sense and for them to let it go, it seems, so easily — not a good decision. But who am I?” D’Angelo pondered, acknowledging his position as an observer.
Bears executives, however, have presented a vision where a “world-class stadium” in Hammond could serve as a transformative project. They believe it could bridge the gap between Northwest Indiana and the South Side of Chicago, extending its influence across the Loop, neighborhoods, and suburbs north of the city.
Despite his frustrations with the potential relocation, D’Angelo remains hopeful about the team’s performance this upcoming season. He specifically pointed to the 2026 season as a crucial indicator of the team’s trajectory under quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson.
“I mean, I think it’s always Super Bowl or bust. I think the Bears and Caleb Williams have showed what they’re capable of, and I think they surprised everybody,” he remarked, reflecting on the team’s unexpected resilience.
He described the previous season as one where the Bears defied expectations, playing with a spirit he likened to “backyard football.” This approach, he noted, was effective and demonstrated significant resilience and heart.
“We were kind of the misfits of the NFL last year. I would say, the ‘Bad News Bears.’ We were doing stuff that we were not supposed to be doing. We were playing a little bit of backyard football. But it was effective and along that journey, showed a lot of resilience, showed a lot of heart,” D’Angelo explained.
He highlighted the team’s ability to secure wins in close games, a testament to their determination and the young quarterback’s developing skills. D’Angelo praised Williams for exhibiting veteran-like qualities at his age.
“What’d they win, seven or eight games trailing with two minutes left in the fourth quarter? That takes a lot of cojones. And I think for Caleb Williams to be as young as he is, doing the kind of stuff he’s doing, doing veteran things in the game, I think it showed a lot about the character. Especially Ben Johnson as their coach,” he added.
D’Angelo acknowledged that some Bears fans might be apprehensive due to past cycles of short-lived success followed by decline. He views the upcoming season as a critical test of the team’s stability and potential.
“I think this season will say a lot. I do think some Bears fans are a little skeptical because we’ve had random good seasons, and then we just go right back down. I think this season is a test, and if we do well, we can breathe a little bit. And we can be like, ‘All right, it’s set in stone.’ I had full faith in the guys as well as the coach,” he concluded.
Looking ahead, D’Angelo is preparing to defend his NXT Championship against Naraku at The Great American Bash next weekend. The event is scheduled to be broadcast on the CW Network.
