"Embarrassing franchise," "League has to step in": NFL fans trash Bears for unprepared field conditions for MNF vs. Vikings

The Chicago Bears have been one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL since their legendary Super Bowl run in 1985, and that can largely be attributed to the much-maligned ownership of the McCaskeys.

And another example of that emerged on Monday, as local radio host Chris Hawkey uploaded this video of workers at Soldier Field leveling the playing surface mere hours before that night's game against the Minnesota Vikings:

And there was much anger towards the organization:

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

"The NFL needs to hold owners accountable. ...Do better!!!" one demanded.

"Can I bet on a player popping an achilles tonight?" another "inquired".

"Kevin (O'Connell) better be screaming at these boys about cleat selection," another hoped.

There is one explanation for the poor quality of the surface. Between August 28 and September 1, Soldier Field hosted an unprecedented five straight nights of concerts.

Oasis kicked off that stretch, followed by My Chemical Romance, The Lumineers, System of a Down, and Avenged Sevenfold, in that order.

Compounding the situation was the fact that, unlike most other NFL stadiums, Soldier Field is not owned by the team that plays in it. Rather, it is owned by the Chicago Park District, which is under the jurisdiction of the municipal government.

Chicago official gives thoughts on Bears' plans for Soldier Field replacement

Another thing going against Soldier Field's longevity is that its 2003 renovation led to its removal from the registry of US National Historic Landmarks. That has led the Bears to seek a domed replacement that can host concerts, basketball games, and combat sports in addition to football.

The likeliest site is Arlington Park, a disused horse racing track in the suburb of Arlington Heights. However, Chicago Park Superintendent Carlos Ramirez Rosa thinks a move there is “many, many years” away from happening, even should they break ground now - as he explained to the Chicago Sun-Tribune:

“We’ve got several years to engage in a very robust, participatory planning process where we work closely with the mayor’s office and bring together civic leaders Downtown, local alderpeople, local state elected officials, residents of the South Loop and Loop and the chambers of commerce that have a stake in this.

“We bring them all to a table and plan for the future. Those types of decisions require a lot of consultation with the public. It requires coalition.”

The Bears’ lease on Soldier Field expires in 2033.

About the author

Andre Castillo is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Journalism. He has over seven years of working experience and has also covered MMA with FanSided, wrestling with The Sportster, and automobiles with Hot Cars.

Andre follows the New York Jets and the Washington Commanders, mostly because he likes their colors. His favorite position is tight end, and players like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce have always drawn Andre's attention when watching a game. Bill Belichick is his favorite coach, and his all-time favorite Super Bowl is the XLII edition, when the underdog New York Giants upset the then-undefeated New England Patriots.

If he can change one moment in NFL history, it will be from the NFC Championship Game in January 2019. In that game, a highly controversial no-call cost the Saints what would have been Drew Brees' second Super Bowl visit, where he would have faced Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Andre is always on the lookout for fresh perspectives in a story and ensures complete factual accuracy by double-checking all information before using it in his articles. He has an innate understanding of how to present information in an efficient and compelling way.

Outside the writing realm, Andre is a professional licensed teacher. His hobbies include watching UFC, MotoGP, playing the piano, and travelling.

Know More

Chicago Bears Nation! Check out the latest Chicago Bears Schedule and dive into the Bears Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Andre Castillo