Bears star could lose millions of dollars for one ridiculous reason

The Chicago Bears still have some business to take care of before the start of the regular season, and signing offensive tackle Darnell Wright to a contract extension should be near the top of their priority list.

Wright has just two years remaining on his deal and carries a $6.7 million cap hit for 2026. That number jumps to $19.072 million for 2027, which is Wright’s fifth-year option.

The Bears would be wise to try and get Wright locked up now before his future price continues to rise. The former No. 10 overall pick has established himself as one of the better tackles in football and was named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2025. He has started all but two games for Chicago since entering the NFL, and he earned himself and 81.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last season.

Wright is expected to command quite a hefty pay day, and the general consensus is that the Bears will be ready. But just how much will Wright actually make, and will the 24-year-old reset the tackle market?

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell isn’t so sure Wright’s contract will tip the scales, and it’s for one ridiculous reason: where he plays along the line.

Chicago Bears OT Darnell Wright might not break the bank

Wright has played right tackle for his entire tenure with the Bears and also primarily manned the right side in college. Because left tackle is the more “glamorous” offensive line position, Barnwell thinks it will end up costing Wright.

“The Bears right tackle had a career year in 2025, and with so many of Chicago’s playmakers on rookie deals, general manager Ryan Poles can afford to pay his right tackle top-of-the-market money. With Wright limited to right tackle, though, the Bears probably see that somewhere around $25 million per season,” Barnwell wrote.

Barnwell also questioned why Chicago didn’t shift Wright over to the left side last season given the injuries the Bears had at the position.

“It seemed telling that the Bears didn’t move Wright to the left side amid their issues there a year ago and don’t seem to plan on starting Wright at left tackle with Ozzy Trapilo out to begin 2026,” Barnwell wrote.

Does Barnwell have a point? Perhaps. It’s true that left tackles typically get paid more, but the market itself is always evolving, so I don’t see any reason why Wright — who is incredibly valuable to Chicago — can’t end up earning more than $25 million annually.

Wright may not protect Caleb Williams’ blind side, but he is a tremendous run blocker and is no slouch in pass protection, either. The Bears need to get him taken care of, regardless of the cost.

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