The Chicago Bears have used this offseason thus far to build up for the upcoming season. General manager Ryan Poles has crafted a playoff roster, and the team is looking to take that next step.
One way to make sure that happens is by keeping your best players around. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune released a mailbag and was asked about a Darnell Wright extension. While Biggs said an extension before training camp may be a stretch, he expressed that Week 1 could be a good timeline.
"An extension before training camp begins is possible, but that might be a little early. If I were looking at a timeline for a potential deal, I’d probably target Week 1 and not late July. Sure, both sides would like to get a deal done, but these things take time and I have to imagine Wright is hunting a massive contract."
And while this is an inference, it makes sense when you look at the caliber of season Wright had and how the price will continue to go up.
Darnell Wright's extension with Bears is on the horizon
Wright has been in Chicago since 2023, but has developed into one of the best right tackles in football. Last season was his best yet, when he earned Second-team All-Pro honors. He appeared in 16 games, where he ranked ninth among tackles in offensive snaps played (1,074). Not only was he available, but he was highly effective.
He allowed 19 total pressures, while only allowing three sacks and three QB hits. On Pro Football Focus, Wright finished with an 81.4 overall grade (14th among 89 graded tackles), 74.3 pass blocking grade (29th among 89 graded tackles), and an 85.6 run blocking grade (6th among 89 graded tackles).
He did an exceptional job holding his own as a pass blocker and creating holes in the run game. With Caleb Williams as the franchise quarterback, Chicago needs to make sure he's protected, which is why it's uber-important to lock down Wright.
Biggs believes that Wright's next deal will start at $25 million per season. Tristan Wirfs of the Bucs is the highest right tackle in the NFL, making $28.125 million per season. He's followed by Penei Sewell of the Lions, who is at $28 million per season. Lane Johnson of the Eagles is third at $25 million per campaign, which seems like the launch point for negotiations with Wright.
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The longer the Bears wait, the higher the price will increase. Getting something done in the near future makes sense, and fans should be on the lookout for a new deal. Biggs believes Week 1 is a nice deadline and should be a date that fans look towards.
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