Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Chris Emma talks Illinois, Indiana competing to be the home of the Bears

Episode Date: February 27, 2026

Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris were joined by Score reporter Chris Emma to share the latest Bears news and notes from the NFL Combine.

Rahimi Harris and Grotty. Bears tight end. Cole Komet. Cole, welcome to the party, pal. Well, thanks for having me. I heard it was a big day. So naturally, I dropped everything I had going on today. You've complained a lot through the years about not being able to hear the score on the 670 a.m. dial when you're inevitably cruising around downtown. And now that we have an FM signal, Cole, you can now hear the score all day, all the time, all you want.

You can hear all the Bears hot takes you want. Well, that's perfect. I'll make sure I blast that in the locker room. Beautiful back! Rahimi Harris and Grody, Midday's Tyndel 2 on 1043 The Score. Some people like Chris Ema. That's Mark Grody doing the Ben Johnson Cough know about Tyson Vagent, talking about Chris Emma, who joins us on our hotline. Chris is our Bears reporter.

He is in Indianapolis, not just for the Combine, but he also went to the state house. So I believe we're calling him Chris Statehouse Emma now. That's what I heard the nickname was for Lawrence Holmes. Chris, thanks for joining us. How we doing? Happy Friday. Yes, a busy day at the State House yesterday for that Senate vote. And it was interesting. I've never done that as a sports reporter before.

But look, it was a gleeful, almost just a celebration for the state of Indiana, the fact that they were able to get this over the goal line. And now we wait to see what happens next for the Bears. Yeah, so that was a big point of emphasis yesterday. I felt like there was no concern as to whether or not the vote was going to pass. There was a bit of a question as to whether or not it was going to get any language in it changed, and this is the bill that would fund a potential Baird Stadium in northwest Indiana. But that didn't end up happening.

So what were your takeaways from just how the bill passed, how people felt about it? Was there any extra talk about it once it was ratified? Well, I was under the understanding yesterday through talking with people at the State House that the governor once signed it until today at the earliest. And maybe next week or the week after that, he signed it an hour after that vote was done in the Indiana State Senate. So they are clearly trying to push the point across that they want the bears. And there were senators saying go bears in their speaking engagements. One senator who said he's a Colts fan talked about his love of Dick Buckkus. There was plenty of talk about the taxpayers, too.

I can promise you that. But look, they were really excited about this, but you saw the bear statement on the end too. And it wasn't one with any kind of commitment. And then I spoke with Senator Ryan Mishler of Northwest Indiana. And we kind of asked what's the timeline next for this? And he pointed out that there's still a lot of work to do on that property in Hammond. And he mentioned in 2007 is a potential groundbreaking time for the stadium,

which means, yeah, the clock is ticking and it also buys the state of Illinois. more time to potentially push its own legislation forward. So this is far from a done deal, obviously, on the Indiana state side. And Illinois now has time to get its act together and figure out if that's what they want to do. Wait a minute, Chris. Wait a minute. Are you saying shovels in the ground at the earliest in 2027, as in next year? That's my understanding.

Senator Mishler pointed to the fact that there's a lot of work to be done on that property. We heard it from the governor last week on the speaking. and home show as well. And so, yeah, there's a lot to do in terms of that land at Wolf Lake. And they're only just beginning on that, too. So they've got the legislation side done and everything except for the Bears in terms of that bill. But on the state of Illinois side, you've got the legislation side is still very much in the works. And you've got a property at Arlington Park that's ready to break ground. So I kind of came away from this believing what I've thought all along, which is that it still is going to be Arlington Heights.

Yeah, not only does that tell me it's going to be Arlington Heights, but it just tells me that Illinois is maybe when we thought of them as being behind Indiana, they're actually, if not even, maybe even ahead of Indiana because they're so far down the road in terms of the details of the site itself. Yeah, and so let's outline the two steps from Springfield, which one took a positive step forward. That was the Mega Projects bill, which is not just for the Bears, but it's a Bears back bill, which allows a major corporation such as the Bears. a private entity to negotiate property taxes with local governments, in this case Arlington Heights and the government there. And that was what was pushed through the revenue hearing. Now it has to go to the House floor. That didn't happen yesterday. My understanding is March 18th is the day to follow with that. And that allows the City of Chicago and Kim Buckner, who we've heard from on the station before sponsoring that bill, the Mega Project's bill, he can start looking back and saying,

what do we need in the City of Chicago to get this from the Bears, to get the Bears to get the bears to take care of the city that they're leaving. So that's one end of it. And then, of course, the issue of infrastructure, and $8555 million is the number we've heard in terms of what they need at Arlington Park to build around those 326 acres. And the state of Illinois has expressed willingness to do so, but that legislation has not even really gotten off the ground yet. So if Indiana has plenty of work to do on that side of Wolf Lake, then the state of Illinois has time to answer back as well. Well, and that's the thing is. I think what needs to be noted here, Chris, is Indiana did go through their processes very quickly.

You know, there was a possibility for sites. There was a pitch process that happened. I know that the exact location is not set in Wolf Lake, but there is an understanding as to where it would be. That is important. There's no doubt about that. What is actually land that they're going to use for this? But the idea that the construction side of this is going to be quick, I think, is still a very far way away. And from what I understand, Chris, and you may know this as well, I'm pretty sure that was part of what enticed the bears about Arlington Heights to begin with.

Was that the construction site would be pretty quick if they already knew where they wanted to go? I remember George McCasky when he introduced Kevin Warren saying that, what do you want to this project? And he said, under budget and ahead of schedule and has gone way over budget and way beyond schedule. So, yeah, there's absolutely some urgency to get this thing done and get it done right. but here they are in this spot. And Senator Mishler yesterday talking about the fact that there is a lot of work to be done. But it is a great offer for the Bears. And he pointed to the fact that he looked at me like Illinois is working on details to negotiate property tax.

He goes in Indiana, the Bears won't have to pay any property tax. It is a sweetheart deal. It is something that local senators here away from Northwest Indiana, for example, a few in Indianapolis here. We're talking about the idea of why should we be? be supporting this. And it was a 45 to four vote. So it was near unanimous. Like I said, it was more of a celebration than a hearing. And each center is speaking about the significance of what this means more so than what the significance is for the state of Indiana. But they were very happy getting that across the finish line yesterday. And certainly Governor Braun as well,

as he signed that an hour afterwards. Do you feel like this is just going to be a thing now for the next year as opposed to the next couple of months. The feeling I have now is this is going to take another year. Marshall's face when you said 2027, Marshall realized what is ahead of him as a commentator and I think I just saw

his life flash before his eyes. The fatigue is real, Chris. I mean, and I say that because I think I speak for a lot of, y'all let me know on the text line. I think I speak for a lot of people when we just want to know when and where you build in the stadium. Like get to the finish line.

somebody, anybody. I'm talking to you, Chicago Bears. I came into this week saying about 75-25, Arlington, to Indie, or to Hammond, I should say, and I think it's probably about the same. I still feel confident that it's going to be Arlington Heights. And I don't think it's going to last that long, Marshall. I think there's a scenario in which this gets done in the coming months. I spoke with a source in Springfield yesterday who expressed a lot of optimism that even despite the fact they didn't get that house hearing yesterday, that This is just all part of it, that this is the business. And somebody stressed the fact that Camp Bunkard being in charge is significant because he has been very strict about representing the best interests of Chicago in this.

But he's also willing to work with the Bears and he's been working with them all along. So sources in Springfield feel really confident that they're going to be able to get what the Bears need out of this and negotiate a deal that's fair for everybody for the state of Illinois and taxpayers there for the City of Chicago being ready to lose the Bears. and honestly a deal that the bears have been desiring all along. So I think there's a scenario in which this is troubles in the ground here midsummer, late summer this year. Chris, let's talk about some actual football. Oh. Because you're at the combine and all. So there's a discussion surrounding Darnell Wright,

and we've heard a couple of reports regarding possibly an extension on the table. It would make sense. You know, what have you heard regarding Wright's future and what could be immediately next for him on the Bears. So let's take the timetable here. March 11th is when the lead New Year hits at 3 p.m. Central time. And that is the time at which the Bears must get their salary cap in order and get their books set. And they've got decisions to make. So we know shopping just about anybody they can. They want to move. DJ Moore, Tyson, Bayesian, Sharon Dexter, whatever they may do, in Tramon, which I don't think they're going to get a suitor on that. They are trying to move

contracts off the book and get value back, which is a great problem to be in because that means you've got a roster coming off in 11 and 6th season that you feel really good about. But you've got to start thinking about the future too. And Darnow Wright is going to be a priority with this. This is somebody I believe is going to get a lucrative long-term contract extension that I think might reset the market. And it's notable Darnel Wright is represented by Octagon. Tristan Wirthes is also represented by Octagon.

He's the highest paid tackle in the NFL right now. That is a bold and a standard that Octagon can come to the Bears and say we want to reset the market. here's what Tristan Wurst is making. Let's top this. So the precedent is in place. We know the Bears are certainly interested in re-signing darnall right. They see him as a staple for their team for many years to come, a franchise tackle. They are so pleased with the way that he's developed over the last three years. And now he goes into this season looking at a potential long-term extension. I think this is something that could happen sooner rather than later. All right, Chris. We've been talking about it all day. The level of trust we have in General

manager, Ryan Poles, who obviously had a better 2025 than he did 2024 or 2023. Where are you and your level of trust in this general manager? It all changed with Ben Johnson. I think Ben Johnson and his ability, not only him, but his coaching staff to develop

players change the way I look at Ryan Poles. And you understood kind of Poles' vision with some of these players that were just not properly developed his first three years on the job. And you saw the combination of drafting and development come to fruition. And And how many individual success stories were we seeing the praises of last season?

The guy like in Deshaun Wright, for example, who was picked up in mid-April, let go by the Vikings and has an all-pro season. And Ozzie Tripillo, obviously, before the injury, that was a guy who was unplayable in August, bowed out of that tackle competition. And he was pushed back into that over two other guys that they really believed in because that's how strongly they felt. And that's how ready he was to play. All down the line to different players that Ryan Poles is identified as talents for

this team and building blocks, you see them develop now and you see the way that that potential is being realized. And that's incredibly exciting. When Ben Johnson talks about, he says, I've got a five-star coaching staff. Like, the resume is right there. It's not just the collective breakthrough of this past season, but it's so many individual players who had terrific seasons. DeAndre Swift and what he was able to do with Eric B. Enemy, after looking like somebody wanted to part ways with a year ago this time in February, he had a terrific season. That's somebody who carried the backfield for this team. Calmanung guy, seventh round pick.

He stepped in as a key part of this offense. You can go all down the line to different players who had terrific seasons because of the coaching staff in the way they were developed and you see what Ryan Paul's vision is. So because of that, I feel totally differently about Ryan Poles than I did a year ago before

you started seeing the fruits of the labor from this coaching staff and you see the way that this plan can work now with a general manager and his brass identifying the talent and this coaching staff building these players up. Chris Emma, we thank you for your work during the Combine all week. When is your next report?

Are you on with the afternoon show? I think this is my swan song here for Indianapolis. One more night in town. And yeah, it's been a heck of a week. I love Combine Week. You saved the best for last. Yeah, have fun, Chris Emma. You deserve some sort of, you know, sparkly beverage to celebrate your work.

Absolutely. Thank you. Take care. That's Chris Emma with his final report from the NFL Combine scene. I love it, the swan song from Chris Emma. And yet now I feel like we're further away from, you know, a stadium. That was tough. That was a tough process for me to process that.

You're watching your face just go to like, oh, no, no. Yeah, we're only just beginning. This is a good example of why you don't want to spend eternity in some sort of hell or damnation if you believe in hell or damnation. Well, that's eternity. So, yeah. So this feels like what exactly? Just too long.

Not eternity, but too long. It's been 84 years. It's been 84 years. And yet we've only just begun. I don't know how to tease this story. This work week's coming to an end though, so there's that. I'm not going to say the term. I'm not going to say it.

A San Diego pitcher had a hemorrhoid-related infection, which is better than what you had on their reign. Well, that's the actual headline from the... From TMZ. Yeah. Also, we discovered that our friend Mike Floreo made a Lego buddy at the NFL Combine. So we can also share that because he's a Chicago guy. Well, I just didn't want to say...

But... Maybe I'll say it later.