Technically, it was Ryan Poles' second draft as Chicago Bears general manager, but Darnell Wright was the first first-round pick he ever made in the role, 10th overall in 2023.
Last season was a big one for Wright, and all he did was go out and deliver a Second Team All-Pro campaign to assert himself as one of the best right tackles in the league.
Of course, Wright also became eligible for a contract extension this offseason, and what that might look like became an immediate topic of conversation.
During an appearance on 104.3 The Score back in February, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic went all the way when considering where the Bears might go with Wright's second contract.
"It's interesting..."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."
Noticeably ahead of the May 1 deadline to do so, the Bears made the inevitable move to pick up Wright's fifth-year option. He's now officially on the books for a shade over $19 million in 2027, pending an extension being done that may change that number.
Ryan Poles sends easy message about plan for Darnell Wright's contract
Picking up a fifth-year option tends to be a placeholder for a well-regarded player to get a notable second contract. Speaking to the media, Poles was direct about what the plan is with Wright.
"We’ll work on a potential extension here in the near future", Poles said, via Chris Emma of 104.3 The Score.
Back in February, Fishbain wondered if the Bears would make Wright the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL, usurping Sewell and his $28 million per year average. That feels unlikely, but putting Wright somewhere in the $20-$25 million per year range on a four or five-year deal is very likely.
According to Poles, that appears to be the plan, and news of a notable long-term deal that'll keep Wright as the Bears' right tackle for the foreseeable future may come very soon.
Add us as a preferred source on Google