Paul Sullivan: Sure, give the Bears whatever they want for a new stadium after that pitch

CHICAGO — You have to give the Chicago Bears and Mayor Brandon Johnson credit for their boldness.

Name-dropping the likes of Daniel Burnham, former President Barack Obama, Taylor Swift and Beyonce on Wednesday during their presentation of a proposed $4.6 billion stadium project was pure genius.

Highlighting the historic Soldier Field colonnades Field after hiding them behind the crash-landing spaceship from the previous stadium renovation while talking about the need to “respect and embrace our traditions” was gaslighting at its finest.

Informing us that “no new taxes” would be necessary to pay for the project was what everyone wanted to hear, even though public funding of at least $1 billion probably would be necessary to get a deal done.

Finally, announcing the plan the day before the Bears are expected to select quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick in the NFL draft was a marketing coup, a much better idea than announcing it the day after another loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Everything seemed to be fine, and if the Bears get their wish, a new stadium would be ready in time for the 2028 season, when Williams should be gunning for his second Super Bowl.

After seeing the renderings and listening to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren talk about the Super Bowls, Final Fours, Illinois high school football championships and concerts that would take place in the new stadium, how could anyone dare say no to this idea?

“If that doesn’t make your teeth chatter, I don’t know what will,” Warren said after the release of the renderings.

Obviously Warren never has sat in the stands at a Bears game in subzero weather or he would know the only thing in Chicago that would make one’s teeth chatter is watching a bad team while freezing your butt off. I have, and I can’t say it’s comparable to seeing the renderings.

But they did look kind of cool, just as the renderings for the proposed White Sox Park in the South Loop looked terrific. I’m guessing the renderings of the new Comiskey Park and the Soldier Field renovation also looked cool when they were revealed, because anything new and futuristic looking is bound to appear better than the status quo.

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