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Chicago Bears predicted to make $20.5 million offseason decision

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 5:54 PM ET

The Chicago Bears have done a masterful job overhauling the offensive line in front of quarterback Caleb Williams over the past several offseasons, and now have a big decision to make on one of their homegrown talents up front.

Darnell Wright is eligible to have his fifth-year option exercised this offseason, extending the Bears’ control over their former first-round pick for one more year before having to decide whether to sign him to a long-term contract extension.

Wright’s option is set to cost approximately $20.5 million, for a franchise currently sitting upwards of $5.3 million over the cap ahead of free agency getting underway, it creates quite a dilemma.

Chicago Bears predicted to exercise Darnell Wright’s fifth-year option

NFL: London Games Jacksonville Jaguars at Chicago Bears Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) after an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

Over at Pro Football Focus, NFL analyst Thomas Valentine put together a list predicting each team’s fifth-year option decision, including the Bears accepting Wright’s in the months ahead.

“His game has always been predicated on what he can do in the run game,” Valentine writes for PFF. “Wright is one of the best people-movers in the business, using his power and athleticism to seal the edge, create rushing lanes, get out in space and dominate defenders. Since entering the league in 2023, Wright’s 82.2 PFF run-blocking grade is ninth among offensive tackles.

“Wright’s pass-blocking has improved over the last three seasons, too. His sacks allowed from 2024 to 2025 dropped from six to three, and Wright gave up six fewer pressures on almost 80 more pass-blocking snaps. Further, his 3.6% pressure rate surrendered was the seventh-lowest in the league. Wright has cemented himself as the Bears’ right tackle of the present and the future.”

A Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2025, the former No. 10 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft continues to cement his status as one of the Bears’ building blocks up front for an offense that is steadily accumulating explosive skill players around one of the more exciting young quarterbacks in the sport.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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