A couple of weeks ago, the Chicago Bears picked up the fifth-year option on right tackle Darnell Wright. With him coming off a Second Team All-Pro honor, the decision was a no-brainer. In three years, he has only missed two games, and he’s started all 49 regular-season games in which he’s appeared, as well as two playoff contests.
Wright’s current deal carries a cap hit of $6,671,722 this year and $19,072,000 in 2027, but the Bears could negotiate a contract extension for the soon-to-be 25-year-old
this year, which is something general manager Ryan Poles said is on the horizon.
Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker speculates that Wright could command “at least $23 million per season on his new contract.”
He added, “After a more pedestrian first season, Wright has turned into one of the league’s best tackles. Since 2024, Wright ranks 11th in WAR (0.50) and 15th in overall PFF grade (85.1) at the position. He’s been particularly lucrative in the run game, where his 86.5 PFF run-blocking mark places sixth.”
Here are a few recent right tackle contracts per Over The Cap.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tristan Wirfs, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, signed a five-year, $140.625 million extension on August 2, 2024, with $88.244 million guaranteed for injury, $70 million in new guarantees, and $52.244 million fully guaranteed at signing. His average per year is $28.125M.
- Penei Sewell, the Detroit Lions’ four-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro, signed a 4 year contract extension on April 24, 2024, worth $112.0 million in new money, $42.99 million in fully guaranteed money with a total guarantee package of $85.0 million. His average per season is $28M.
- Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles inked 35-year-old Lane Johnson to a one-year contract extension worth $25 million, and his average is $25M per season. From 2017 through 2024, Johnson was selected to six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro Teams.
I think Wright’s average per season is going to be closer to $25M than $23M, and I know what you’re thinking — there’s no money for an extension!
Right now, the Bears are looking at about $31 million in 2027 cap space, but the decks are pretty clear in 2028. And yes, a Caleb Williams extension is looming, but the Bears still have some restructures they could do, which would open more space this year and in 2027.
The bottom line is, the Bears will get Wright’s deal done eventually, and he’ll be in the Navy and Orange for several more years.
