Bears Seeking Extension For RT Darnell Wright

Wright, 24, is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract after establishing himself as one of the league’s best offensive tackles with a second-team All-Pro nod in 2025. The Bears have already picked up his fifth-year option for 2027, projected to be $19MM, but a long-term deal will come with a much higher annual price tag. The tackle market broke $30MM per year in March with Laremy Tunsil‘s extension with the Commanders; three others sit at $28MM or higher.

Wright has a strong claim to join that group. He has started 49 of a possible 51 regular-season games since he was drafted with the No. 10 pick in 2023 with one-game absences for two separate minor injuries. The former Tennessee Volunteer has also shown improvement in each year of his career. As a rookie, he allowed 51 pressures and seven sacks with a 95.3 pass blocking efficiency, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In 2024, those numbers improved to 30 pressures, six sacks, and a 97.0 pass blocking efficiency. Last year, he ranked fifth among starting tackles with a 98.1 pass blocking efficiency and allowed just 24 pressures and three sacks. Penalties have become a concern; Wright committed 31 over the last three seasons with 12 in 2025, the seventh-most at his position.

Still, breaking into the top of the tackle market should be well within reach for Wright. He may even push to eclipse Tunsil’s $30.1MM AAV given his status as a key blocker for one of the best run games and one of the most valuable quarterbacks in the NFL. The Bears are no doubt already planning an extension for 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, who will be eligible for one next offseason. Getting Wright under contract before then will be a priority, especially given the team’s uncertainty at left tackle. Braxton Jones was re-signed on a one-year deal to start with 2025 second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season. Chicago may not know who will be protecting Williams’ blind side until closer to the start of the 2027 season, so having Wright locked down would guarantee security and continuity at right tackle.

Poles noted that it takes two sides to work out a deal, suggesting a lack of progress in initial contract talks. It is somewhat unusual for a team to set a regular-season deadline for an extension, as another strong year from Wright could boost his price even further. But with his fifth-year option already in place – which is fully guaranteed but paid out over the course of the season as base salary – the prospect of a large signing bonus and even more guaranteed money could bring him to the negotiating table.