RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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General manager Ryan Poles’ first-ever first-round pick is not only a keeper, but a record-breaker. The Bears are writing Darnell Wright the largest check ever given an offensive lineman.
Tuesday afternoon, team and the right tackle agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $116 million. The $93 million guaranteed in the deal is the most-ever given an NFL offensive lineman. In league history, only left tackle Laremy Tunsil can top Wright’s average annual salary of $29 million.
The extension is validation not only for Wright but for his general manager, who traded down one spot, to No. 10 overall, to draft the Tennessee tackle in 2023. The Eagles, who moved up, took defensive tackle Jalen Carter, with whom they won a Super Bowl two years ago.
Wright's extension is likely to be a lot less tricky than the next one Poles has to give a Bear on a rookie contract. Both quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze are eligible to sign extensions starting next offseason.
Wright, who turns 25 on Monday, is a rare Day 1 draft day win for the Bears. Since the NFL created fifth-year options for first-round picks 15 years ago, the Bears have signed just two to extensions: cornerback Kyle Fuller, for whom the Bears matched a transition tag offer, and offensive lineman Kyle Long.
It’s the fifth multi-year extension handed out during the Ben Johnson era. The team signed special teamer Josh Blackwell, linebacker T.J. Edwards, guard Joe Thuney and backup quarterback Tyson Bagent to new deals last year.
Darn Wright 🙂↕️ pic.twitter.com/HDID4SUMr0
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 4, 2026
In April, the Bears picked up the 2027 fifth-year option on Wright’s rookie contract with the intention of extending him. Accomplishing it before Week 1 crosses a major item off Poles’ offseason to-do list — and rewards homegrown talent. Wright was inconsistent at the start of last season and dealt with an elbow injury but surged to second-team all-pro honors. Pro Football Focus rated him 15 th among all tackles, while ESPN ranked him fourth in pass-block win rate.
Wright said last week he wasn’t worried about working out a new deal. He planned on staying with the Bears for a long time.
“Hopefully my whole career,” he said.
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