October 22, 2011; London, ENGLAND; Chicago Bears mascot Staley Da Bear performs during the 2011 NFL International Series fan rally at Trafalgar Square. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The face of the Chicago Bears continues to change this offseason. The latest change isn’t an on-the-field change so to speak but it’s something fans who attend games at Soldier Field will notice immediately. George McCaskey and Phil Emery are putting their stamp on this team and the latest move gets rid of longtime mascot Staley Da Bear and replaces him with a real bear.

According to our sources, the Bears decided that their image was becoming too cute and cuddly and it was time for a makeover.

“We want our opponents to know that they are in for a fight when they come to Chicago,” said GM Phil Emery. “Marc (Trestman) suggested that in the CFL, it’s very common to have more realistic mascots, so we took that to heart. This marks the start of a new era in Chicago and what better way to symbolize that than with a new mascot.”

The yet to be named Bears, which will be named in an offseason naming contest, will roam the sidelines and perform during halftime. At this point, the Bear will not travel with the team and when he is not at Soldier Field, he will live in the McCormick Bear Habitat at nearby Lincoln Park Zoo.

Staley Da Bear was introduced in 2003 and served as the primary mascot since the new Soldier Field was unveiled in 2003. The Bears will introduce the mascot at their annual draft party at Soldier Field on April 26th.