With the 2025 season coming to a close for the Chicago Bears, the focus now turns to the top offseason moves the team needs to address, and it should start with right tackle Darnell Wright.
He’s been one of the many bright spots along the offensive line, and the former 2023 first-round pick played a pivotal role in the Bears’ dominant run game. This past season, Wright appeared in 1,074 snaps with an 81.9 overall grade by PFF and earned AP Second-Team All-Pro honors.
He’s not a free agent yet, just to make things clear; however, Wright is now eligible to negotiate an extension with the Bears this offseason. He’ll be entering the final year of his rookie deal next season, and the Bears have the choice to pick up his fifth-year option the year after.
And Wright didn’t hesitate to make his feelings clear on a potential extension.
Darnell Wright on Possible Extension: “That Would Be Great”
When asked by reporters how Wright feels about signing a possible extension, it’s clear where he wants to play.
“I would love to be on this team for my whole career, for sure. That would be great.”
For being general manager Ryan Poles’ first first-round selection as the Bears’ GM, Wright has been a home run pick. Not only has he improved every season, but he’s also been healthy. Wright has been on the field for 100% of the Bears’ snaps in 2023, 95% in 2024, and 99% in 2025.
Now, the question is how much are the Bears willing to extend Wright for? For comparison, the Green Bay Packers extended their starting right tackle, Zach Tom, to a four-year, $88 million extension on July 21st, 2025.
The Bears know they want to keep Wright long-term, so an extension could look something like a four-year, $108 million deal ($27M annually compared to Tom’s $22M annually).
Wright Loves What He Sees From Caleb Williams
After the loss in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, Wright didn’t hesitate to praise Williams.
“He was great. There was games where he single-handedly won us the game. He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever played with, for sure, so I’m happy he’s going to be my quarterback next year as well.”
Wow, the best quarterback he’s ever played with? Close your ears, Justin Fields. And the praise didn’t stop there.
“One thing I’ve learned about him is, he would do whatever it takes to win, and I’ve seen that through training camp, through OTAs, through practice where it doesn’t matter what it is, he needs to get better at, whatever he thinks he needs to get better at, he will do those things. I know that.”
It was great to see Williams develop in his second year, and it’s even better watching Wright blossom into one of the top tackles in the NFL. ESPN’s Louis Riddick said it best; “Darnell Wright is a BEAST!!!!”
Bears’ Darnell Wright Makes His Feelings Clear Amid Extension News