NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Chicago Bears minority owner Pat Ryan met with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker this week to discuss keeping the franchise in the state.
The talks come as the Bears evaluate potential stadium locations outside Chicago, including an offer from Hammond, Indiana.
Bears CEO Kevin Warren was notably absent from the high-level discussions, which followed turbulent negotiations with state lawmakers.
Ryan recently funded an $875 million privately built stadium at Northwestern University in Evanston, presenting a tax-free development model that appeals to Illinois officials.
Indiana Competition and the Push to Retain the Bears
Hammond Mayor Tim McDermott described Goodell's involvement as an effort to retain the historic franchise.
"If the Bears are going to move out of Chicago and move out of Illinois, I think Roger Goodell wants to be able to look himself in the mirror as well and say, 'I did everything I could to try to help the Bears stay in Illinois,'" McDermott said.
McDermott acknowledged that Indiana remains in active competition for the team, while noting Illinois will push back against losing the franchise.
"I don't love the fact that Roger Goodell is in Chicago right now," he said.
"I appreciate the fact that the Bears reached out and gave me a heads-up.
I trust we're in the lead and we're going to get this deal done, but Illinois isn't just going to hand a storied NFL franchise over to Hammond.
We're going to have to fight for it."
The Bears have spent more than 100 years in Illinois, and discussions regarding their final stadium decision remain ongoing among regional leaders.
