Darnell Wright's record-breaking extension is great news for QB Caleb Williams, Bears' Super Bowl window

Those who didn't draft their tackles acquired them through trades, free agency or another roster transaction (waiver wire or practice squad). Sixteen of these teams featured right or left tackles they signed in free agency, four of which Barnwell deemed as premium signings. None of the right tackles were acquired in trades, but three of the left ones were. 

So, teams must invest heavily in their offensive tackles, especially when they have a young QB like Chicago. The problem is that many squads prioritize surrounding their passers with wide receiver talent instead. The Houston Texans did this during the 2024 offseason. 

Houston traded for WR Stefon Diggs in a deal with the Buffalo Bills before pairing him with WR Nico Collins and QB C.J. Stroud. Diggs played eight games for Houston, logging 496 receiving yards before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. He signed with the New England Patriots the following offseason. 

Houston should regret not spending on its O-line even more after watching Stroud take 75 sacks over the past two seasons, tied for No. 6 in the NFL during that span. That could speak to his regression since winning 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. The QB averaged a career-low 217.2 passing yards per game in 14 starts last season. 

The Cincinnati Bengals also valued WR talent instead of O-line help for seventh-year QB Joe Burrow. Cincinnati signed WRs Ja'Marr Chase (four years, $161M) and Tee Higgins (four years, $115M) during the 2025 offseason. 

Higgins and Chase are capable of producing fireworks ... when Burrow's healthy. The QB missed nine games last season due to turf toe in his left foot. 

Now, Burrow — who has also suffered knee and wrist injuries — is fragile, but a more durable QB would be at risk for injury in Cincinnati. Per Pro Football Reference, the Bengals allowed the sixth-most QB hits (64) in the NFL in 2025.

Last season, Burrow ranked 19th among 34 eligible QBs in sack rate (6.16 percent). Williams, meanwhile, ranked 31st (4.05 percent), and Stroud ranked 25th (5.16 percent). 

The Bears went 11-6 and made the playoffs, while the Bengals went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for a third straight season. The Texans went 12-5 but leaned heavily on their elite defense. Houston ranked second in the NFL in points allowed (17.3 per game). 

The Bears' Super Bowl puzzle isn't yet complete, but they now have one of the tackle spots filled for years to come. That's paramount.