CHGO Digest: Bears stadium update, Ryan Poles speaks, Cubs' wild win

Happy Thursday, friends!

Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren are threatening to become the Tale of Two Hires for George McCaskey.

In two years, Poles has overhauled the on-field product and committed to a franchise quarterback. The GM inherited a mess, but fans have grasped his vision for the future of Bears football.

But one year after being hired, Kevin Warren doesn’t seem any closer to getting the team’s stadium built. The CEO inherited a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights that awaits development and has instead spent his time pining over Chicago while butting heads with local and state government.

Is Warren falling short or is all of this just politics as usual? We’ll find out soon.

— Patrick Norton

Pritzker’s office considers Bears stadium plan in Chicago a ‘non-starter’

Bears officials met with top aides from the Illinois governor’s office on Wednesday to discuss the team’s recent stadium proposal on the lakefront that asks for $900 million in state-provided funding. Pritzker was not in attendance for the plan’s unveiling on April 24.

• Last week, Pritzker said he was “highly skeptical of the proposal,” adding that allocating money for a new stadium was “not a high priority for legislators and certainly not for me.”
  
• The governor’s press secretary Alex Gough reiterated that sentiment on Wednesday: “As the Governor has said, the current proposal is a non-starter for the state.”
  
• Gough continued, “In order to subsidize a brand new stadium for a privately owned sports team, the Governor would need to see a demonstrable and tangible benefit to the taxpayers of Illinois.”
  
• Kevin Warren’s estimation for a 2028 grand opening hinges on having the plan approved by the state in the current legislative session that concludes on May 24.
  

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Poles talks Caleb, draft with Pat McAfee

Ryan Poles had his mind made up on Caleb Williams for weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Once Williams arrived at Halas Hall for his top-30 pre-draft visit, the Bears’ general manager knew how he would spend the No. 1 overall selection.

Poles joined The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday to talk Williams, Rome Odunze, and Tory Taylor.

• Poles broke down the process on the No. 9 overall pick, saying “There’s certain guys you don’t pass up on and Rome was one of ’em.” The Bears GM alluded to multiple offers for the pick from teams looking to move up, but Poles didn’t bite.
  
• On punter Tory Taylor, Poles said, “Having the ball spotted inside the 10-yard line is a very uncomfortable feeling, it’s disheartening at times, and I love taking advantage of field position.” The team announced later on Wednesday it had waived two-year starting punter Trenton Gill.
  

📺 WATCH | The CHGO Bears podcast welcomed Caleb Williams’ former high school coach Randy Trivers to talk about Williams’ commitment, demeanor, and why Caleb could bring Chicago to a Super Bowl in his rookie season.

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Roundup: Cubs’ wild win, Steele returning, Bedard named Calder finalist

• Score that one: 7-5-2! The Cubs pulled off a thrilling 1-0 victory against the Mets on Wednesday night thanks to a game-ending double play started by Ian Happ in left field. Upon further review, Miguel Amaya did not block Pete Alonso’s path to the plate, and the call of the field stood.
  

📺 WATCH | The CHGO Cubs crew discusses the crazy ending, Shota Imanaga’s success and the struggling offense.

• Justin Steele pitched in AAA with the Iowa Cubs on Wednesday as part of a rehab stint. Steele suffered a hamstring strain on Opening Day in March, but is slated to rejoin the Cubs as early as this weekend.
  

• Connor Bedard is officially a finalist for the Calder Trophy. Bedard is the heavy favorite to win the award for the league’s top rookie. The 18-year-old phenom led NHL rookies in goals and assists, and will likely become the first Blackhawks player to win the award since Artemi Panarin in 2016.
  

🔎 GO DEEPER | Become a Diehard to access Jay Zawaski’s Blackhawks Beat on Kyle Davidson’s rising expectations for next season.

No topping this…

More on CHGO!

• Vinnie Duber’s latest on White Sox prospect Colson Montgomery’s slow start to the season.
  
• Will Gottlieb on what Arturas Karnisovas can learn from Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears rebuild.
  
• The Friday 1:20 Club is back at Wrigley this Friday! Cubs take on the Milwaukee Brewers for the first time since Craig Counsell joined Chicago. Join us at Murphy’s Bleachers and then in the Wrigley Field bleachers!
  

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