The Chicago Bears are scouting young talent down in Indianapolis.
It comes as the team is debating a move out of Illinois.
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General manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson are avoiding stadium chatter, but say tough roster cuts are ahead, even after an amazing season.
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The NFL Combine gives coaches the first look at top college talent.
The Bears are coming off a hot eleven and six record, making their first postseason playoff appearance in years.
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Even still, the Bears brass says tough roster changes are ahead.
«This is one of the closest-knit groups that I have every been a part of, last year’s team,» Johnson said. «That is hard to generate. I wish there was some magic stick you could float on out there to make that happen.»
«You win, bonds and relationships get deeper and knowing that right know sit over the cap, we have to make decisions if that’s cuts, if that’s trades,» Poles said. «There’s real relationships so people that gave it up for the Chicago Bears to advance our and they may not be able to stay that sucks to be honest with you.»
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While Tuesday’s focus was on the players, the team also has an important decision to make on a site for a potential new stadium.
Indiana continues to try to lure the Bears.
Indiana lawmakers took another step forward in pushing legislation that would set up the financial framework for a potential new stadium.
Indiana officials have focused in on Hammond in the Wolf Lake area.
Part of their proposal would come from issuing a bond, that would be repaid through Hammond’s 12 percent admissions tax.
Indiana also asked Lake and Porter counties to adopt a one percent food and beverage tax and for Lake County to pass a five percent inn-keeper’s tax.
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The next step is final consideration by the Indiana House.
Meanwhile in Illinois, officials are trying to convince the Bears to stay.
Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would give the Bears a long-term property tax break for construction of a stadium in Arlington Heights.
The «Mega Project Bill» will go before the Illinois House Revenue & Finance Committee on Thursday.
The Bears get the 25th pick in the draft coming up in April in Pittsburgh.
