Ben Johnson has one Bears contract extension he can't let slip away

Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are getting closer to the start of the 2026 season. So, yes, the clock is ticking to work out last-minute extensions and deals. The pressure is on, and Johnson knows there's at least one player he needs to move on, and fast.

The Bears had a historic season in 2025. They went from the bottom of the NFC North straight to the top. It's the kind of comeback season this franchise has wanted to see for years, and it's finally happening under Johnson.

In a piece for ESPN out on Wednesday, the outlet discusses each NFL team's most important contract extensions. For the Bears, they point to OT Darnell Wright.

The Bears need to act on extending this player's deal

"The Bears would like to get an extension done with the 2023 first-rounder before training camp, which is typically when they've struck new deals in the past (Cole Kmet in 2023, DJ Moore in 2024)," Courtney Cronin of ESPN states in the feature. "Despite playing most of last season with a torn UCL, Wright put together the best season of his career and earned second-team All-Pro honors."

Earlier this year, Johnson said of Wright that he "just continues to get better" and that he's "a powerful player and can displace guys off the line of scrimmage." That's some high praise.

So, Johnson has already said glowing things about Wright. Now, it's time for him to step it up and take care of business before September rolls around.