The Chicago Bears have seen several of their rivals get a jump on a decision that seems like a foregone conclusion for them. In the Bears’ case, the decision is regarding starting right tackle Darnell Wright.
Wright is coming off his third season with the Bears, earning Second Team All-Pro honors and drawing Pro Bowl consideration.
He is seemingly due for a raise, and the Bears are already nearing their first true deadline.
Bears Facing Significant Decision on Darnell Wright
Darnell Wright Decision Looms Bears
The Bears selected Wright 10th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has started 49 of the regular-season games (and two playoff contests) he has played in since.
Wright is extension-eligible this offseason, and several teams have already addressed their selections from the class. On Wednesday, the Houston Texans (C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.) and New Orleans Saints (Bryan Bresee) followed suit.
Four players selected ahead of Wright have had or will have their options picked up, per ESPN.
Another, former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson, will all but certainly not have his option picked up after the Indianapolis Colts moved on at QB last season.
Wright, who turns 25 in August, is in the final year of a four-year, $20.9 million rookie scale contract. The value of his fifth-year option is $19.1 million–nearly matching the total value of his original deal.
Spotrac projected Wright’s market value at a three-year, $53.8 million contract.
There have been five other first-rounders from the 2023 class to have their contract situations addressed, one of whom–Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba–received an extension.
Two other players were traded to new teams, leaving them in situations similar to Richardson: with teams unlikely to be interested in retaining them on bloated guaranteed salaries.
The Bears do not have that issue with Wright.
The Bears have until May 1 to decide on Wright’s fifth-year option. That gives Bears general manager Ryan Poles and Co. roughly three weeks.