The Chicago Bears no longer have the massive financial flexibility they had in the previous few years. That is the nature of a rebuild. Around the third or fourth year, the larger contracts start piling up. Now GM Ryan Poles must start navigating the salary cap with more caution. His biggest priority by far is deciding what to do with Darnell Wright. The team's 10th overall pick from 2023 has blossomed into one of the NFL's best right tackles. Through 10 games, he has allowed just 10 pressures. He's also the 7th-highest-rated run-blocker among all offensive tackles.
Given how excellent the offensive line has been this season, it makes perfect sense for the Bears to get him locked down to a new contract. What isn't certain is when that will happen and how much it will cost. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune offered a small update on that. The way things are headed, the likely outcome is that the Bears will exercise Wright's 5th-year option in his rookie contract. That would be a formality, buying them time to hammer out an extension that will have a floor of at least $20 million per year.
Based on how he’s playing, the likeliest scenario for Wright is the team exercising the fifth-year option in his contract and then looking to hammer out a multiyear extension that could be finalized in the spring or over the summer. There won’t be any rush to strike a new deal, but the team can save a little money by doing a deal before the season starts, and Wright can lock up security.
You’re probably looking at a big deal too. It’s premature to speculate on numbers with seven games remaining, but just know there are six right tackles with an average annual salary of $20 million or more.
Wright’s contract situation will be the biggest piece of business for general manager Ryan Poles. After that, I’m not sure there is another player the team will want to pay.
Darnell Wright will be a costly investment, but well worth it.
Good-to-great offensive tackles are hard to find. He is proving to be one of them. Right now, the highest-paid right tackle in football is Tampa Bay's Tristan Wirfs at $28.125 million per year. As things stand, the likeliest outcome is that Darnell Wright will be sandwiched somewhere between Lane Johnson ($25 million) and Zach Tom ($22 million). Factoring in his lack of Pro Bowl nods and injury history, that feels like a good spot. He will still be a top-five tackle in money while the Bears don't have to truly break the bank.
Once Wright is secure, the last remaining piece of business is finding a left tackle. Theo Benedet has been a quality run blocker for the Bears, but has clear weaknesses in pass protection. If the team doesn't feel he can overcome them, then hunting for a replacement is a top priority this coming spring.
