Will they still be called the Chicago Bears in Indiana? How name change is impacted by leaving Illinois

It's not a guarantee yet, but the Chicago Bears continue to get closer to a move to play in Hammond, Indiana.

ESPN reported Friday on the next steps being taken toward building a stadium there that would relocate the Bears out of Illinois and into the neighboring state.

A drive between Chicago and Hammond, according to Google Maps, is about 45 minutes, and it raises a fascinating question.

Would the Bears get a new name if they move?

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Will they still be Chicago Bears if they move to Indiana?

The franchise doesn't plan to change its name if it moves to Indiana and would still be known as the Chicago Bears.

The governor of Indiana has already acknowledged that the name would stay.

It makes sense that the team wouldn't want to change an iconic, well-known brand like the "Chicago Bears" for any kind of variation.

They also wouldn't be the only NFL team that doesn't play exactly where their name says they do.

The San Francisco 49ers play in Santa Clara.

The Dallas Cowboys play in Arlington.

Shoot, the New York Giants and New York Jets play in New Jersey -- also a whole different state.

So it wouldn't be unusual for this franchise to remain the Chicago Bears, even if it moves just over the state line into Indiana.

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