The Chicago Bears have a bright future ahead, due in large part to the pairing of head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, who found immediate success in their first season together. But there are a number of other cornerstones on the roster, including right tackle Darnell Wright, who's bene a mainstay along the offensive line.
Wright, drafted 10th overall by the Bears in 2023, is coming off the best year of his young career earning second-team All-Pro honors while being part of an offensive line that paved the way for the league's third-best rushing attack and allowed the second-fewest sacks in the regular season.
Naturally, the offense will go as far as Williams takes them, but Wright has been key to their success, as well. NFL.com's
Kevin Patra believes as much, identifying Wright as the Bears' non-QB MVP heading into the 2026 season.
The Bears finally employed a sexy offense last season, which overshadowed Wright’s ascension toward the top of the right tackle rankings. The 325-pounder has improved in each of his three seasons as both a road grader and pass protector. He shined in Year 1 under Ben Johnson, generating a career-best 3.8 percent pressure rate allowed last year, per Pro Football Focus (a shade below first-team All-Pro Penei Sewell’s 3.3 percent figure). Wright has the tools to continue climbing the charts as one of the best blockers in the NFL. At the very least, the man should earn a Pro Bowl nod after being snubbed last season.
Wright has solidified himself as one of the NFL's top right tackles -- landing in the top-six among the league's best tackles, as voted by coaches and execs -- and it's clear Chicago hit a home run with the selection. Wright is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and he's poised to earn a lucrative payday as general manager Ryan Poles looks to extend his first-ever first-round pick.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Darnell Wright dubbed Bears' non-QB MVP for 2026 season
