NFL commissioner Roger Goodell: Bears' stadium location options are 'both great opportunities they need to explore'

(670 The Score) As the Bears continue to evaluate locations to build a new stadium and explore options both in the city of Chicago and suburban Arlington Heights, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell offered his support for their endeavor without specifying where he'd like to see them play.

The Bears' current focus is on building a new stadium just south of Soldier Field along the lakefront in Chicago, according to recent reporting from Crain's Chicago Business, but they also own the 326-acre Arlington Park in suburban Arlington Heights. The Bears paid $197 million for the Arlington Park property.

“It’s important to the Chicago Bears, their fans,” Goodell said Monday at his annual Super Bowl press conference. “I also think it’s important to that community. I think as we have seen (in Las Vegas), a great stadium can host additional events. I think that’s true to Chicago. The domed stadium that they’re talking about, both downtown and also potentially in Arlington, I think those are both great opportunities they need to explore. The good news is they got quite a bit of time on their lease. The Bears are committed to being in the Chicagoland. I talked to the mayor of Chicago recently. He wants them in the city. Arlington wants it out in Arlington. I think they’ll be able to develop a proposal that would be good for the fans, but I also think it will be great for Chicago.”

The Bears have declined to comment on Crain's report about what their preference is. The Bears currently play at Soldier Field under a lease that runs through 2033.