As the Chicago Bears prepare for the 2025 NFL season, Darnell Wright stands out as the lone offensive lineman guaranteed a starting role, solidifying his position as a right tackle. Despite discussions around a potential shift to left tackle, Wright remained in his familiar spot, focusing on growth during his third year in the league. Remarkably, he played a significant portion of the 2025 season with a torn UCL in his right elbow, a testament to his toughness and commitment.
This resilience paid off when Wright earned a Second-Team All-Pro selection, drawing praise from numerous corners, including the Bears’ general manager, Ryan Poles. His performance left a strong impression on analysts, revealing a player who is among the league’s best at his position despite physical adversity.
Statistical Excellence Reinforces Wright’s Status Among Elite Tackles
Evaluations of quarterback pressure allowed on the Bears showed Wright excelling, though sources differ on exact responsibility statistics. According to Pro Football Focus, Wright allowed pressure on only 3.4 percent of pass plays, ranking fourth-best among qualifying offensive tackles. Another analysis provided by Daniel Rotman highlighted an even better figure: a 2.98 percent pressure rate, tying Wright for the second-best among NFL right tackles during the regular season.
Beyond pass protection, Wright’s run-blocking capabilities also stood out, earning the 11th-best PFF grade in the category with a score of 82.9. At just 24 years old, with his 25th birthday approaching in August, Wright combines youth with high-level performance, positioning himself as one of the game’s top right tackles.
With the Bears approaching Wright’s fourth season and facing a May 1 deadline to decide on his fifth-year contract option, the team’s front office must move swiftly. Given Wright’s first-round selection in 2023, the Bears are expected to exercise this option. The anticipated value sits at approximately $20.5 million, often serving as an interim solution before negotiating a more extensive contract extension.
Contract Talks Expected to Reflect Wright’s Rising Value
General NFL contract negotiations often favor early extensions, as waiting tends to increase costs alongside market inflation at the player’s position. The Bears, who recently hired head coach Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions—a franchise known for rapid long-term deals with core players—appear poised to follow a similar approach with Wright, who is seen as foundational to the team’s development.
Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic shared insights during a recent interview on 104.3 The Score about the potential scale of Wright’s contract negotiations. He floated hypothetical scenarios by speaking with agents, revealing that Wright’s combination of youth, All-Pro honors, and durability—even while playing with a brace—could lead to a deal that “resets the market.” Fishbain said,
“I talked to a couple agents who do not represent Wright, (I) just kinda floated it to them, ‘if you were his representation, what are you asking for’? One of them said, ‘I’d reset the market.’ He was Second-Team All-Pro. You look at his age, you look at the accomplishments. Remember, he did that last year, most of it, with a brace on his arm. You could say, we’ll go ahead..we’ll top Penei Sewell, which right now is the top right tackle contract.” ?Kevin Fishbain, Analyst
Fishbain noted that while Wright’s contract might temporarily set a new benchmark for right tackles, the market is constantly evolving, with other players poised to surpass it later. The Bears’ option to use the fifth-year extension gives both sides time to negotiate thoughtfully, and they also hold the franchise tag option for further control.
Financial Projections Indicate a Substantial Extension on the Horizon
Delving deeper into numbers, Fishbain projected Wright’s potential contract value to include an extension lasting three or four additional years, with a total near $100 million. Annual averages were estimated between $20 million and $25 million, reflecting Wright’s critical role and the Bears’ confidence in his continued ascent.
“You’re looking at adding a third or fourth year, you’d be talking 100 million dollars, you’re looking in that 20-25 million dollar a year range. But the way he played last year, I think the Bears would feel good about that.” ?Kevin Fishbain, Analyst
These figures underscore the importance of Wright to the Bears’ future, especially considering he was the first draft selection by Ryan Poles as general manager. Wright’s achievements last year suggest he not only meets but exceeds the expectations set for foundational players.
Implications of Wright’s Contract for Bears and League Market
While high-value contracts often lead to complex and prolonged negotiations, the Bears appear committed to securing Wright’s presence for the long term. Ensuring his continued development and leadership along the offensive line holds substantial promise for Chicago’s ambitions on both offense and overall competitiveness.
The upcoming contract extension talks for Darnell Wright will likely influence salary standards for right tackles across the NFL, potentially resetting the pay scale for similar players. The Bears’ approach to finalizing this deal may serve as a blueprint for how teams manage rising stars who combine youth, skill, and durability effectively.
Right-Tackle (RT) Pressure Rate (%):
2025 Regular Season https://t.co/pEzKlWTBVf pic.twitter.com/KUYjth0tM1
— Daniel Rotman (@daniel_rotman15) February 18, 2026
What will a contract extension look like for Bears right tackle Darnell Wright?@kfishbain has been exploring that and sees the potential that his new deal could reset the market for tackles. pic.twitter.com/BDQufYdm0e
— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) February 17, 2026
