Bears right tackle Darnell Wright figured it was only a matter of time before the team that drafted him 10th overall in 2023 rewarded him with a new contract.
He was right.
The Bears and Wright agreed to a four-year, $116 million contract extension on Tuesday that will keep the 2025 second-team All-Pro tackle in Chicago through the 2031 season. ESPN and NFL Network reported the deal first.
“I know I’ll be here for a long time,” Wright said Friday at Halas Hall. “Hopefully my whole career. Those things kind of just handle themselves but I just have to stay focused on the main things. That’s just getting better, consistency every day.”
Wright, 24, has become a stalwart on the Bears’ offensive line, starting 49 of the team’s 51 regular-season games since coming into the league. The Bears exercised the fifth-year option in his rookie contract earlier this summer.
“Our team is rooted in being driven by belief and built by hard work, and Darnell epitomizes our culture in every way,” Ben Johnson said in a statement Tuesday. “We are excited that Darnell will remain an integral member of our team as we work toward championship-level execution in all that we do.”
The average annual value of Wright’s new deal ($29 million) makes him the highest-paid right tackle in NFL history, while the contract guarantee ($93 million) — eclipsing the guaranteed money in Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater’s extension ($92 million) from last summer — is the most ever for an offensive lineman.
Wright – Ryan Poles’ first first-round selection as general manager – is also the Bears’ first first-round pick to receive a contract extension since cornerback Kyle Fuller, who was drafted 14th overall in 2014.
“As we continue to build our team and develop our culture, we are excited that Darnell will remain a cornerstone of our franchise as we work toward creating sustained success,” Ryan Poles said. “Darnell has consistently elevated his play and the performance of his teammates since joining our team, and we look forward to his continued growth and leadership for years to come.”
The CHGO staff weighs in on the news:
Adam Jahns: It’s important to bring up Ben Johnson’s place in all of this. Wright won over GM Ryan Poles and former offensive line coach Chris Morgan in a thorough workout at Tennessee before drafting him. Then he had to win over Johnson and current line coach Dan Roushar. That matters. Wright is part of Johnson’s vision for the future. And Johnson will hold him accountable because of it.
Patrick Norton: Ryan Poles’ decision to pass on defensive tackle Jalen Carter, trade down and select Wright in the 2023 draft was highly scrutinized at the time. The decision to extend Wright as one of the league’s premier right tackles is a much easier one to understand. Among the Bears’ current first-team offensive linemen, he is now the only one under contract beyond 2027. The Bears not only believe in his current skill set to reward him with this extension, but also in what he’ll become down the road.
Adam Hoge: As soon as you heard Ben Johnson discuss how his offense is “right-handed,” you knew locking in Darnell Wright would be a priority. When the offense was humming last year, it was because they were running it through Wright on the right side. This is an expensive deal, but it’s a deserving one. And he still has untapped potential, with growth still possible in pass protection.
Mark Carman: Ryan Poles has to feel great extending a top 10 pick. Wright has been first class both on the field, playing through injuries and well-liked in the locker room. Salaries keep rising, so locking in Wright now feels like a safe bet. Hopefully, over time, he becomes a more vocal leader as the line evolves in the coming seasons.
Greg Braggs Jr: Wright started out as the guy who was drafted instead of Jalen Carter. Now he’s the guy who just signed a long-term extension and is the foundation of Ben Johnson’s offense. Hard work pays off. Darnell clearly won over the coaching staff over the last 12 months. Ben Johnson has said this offense is right-handed because of Darnell Wright. That’s a checkmate for Ryan Poles, who took a lot of heat for drafting him.
