Fifteen years of waiting. One season of belief restored.
And at the heart of Chicago’s resurgence? A 24-year-old tackle who finally became a force.
The Chicago Bears didn’t just improve in 2025 — they erupted.
An 11-6 record. An NFC North crown. Their first playoff win in 15 years. All under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. The rebuild narrative? Dead. The future? Blindingly bright.
And as the Bears begin counting down their 15 Most Impactful Players of 2025, one name stands tall at No. 6: Darnell Wright.
Not flashy. Not loud. But absolutely dominant.
The Year It All Clicked
When Wright entered the league as the No. 10 overall pick in 2023, the expectations were crystal clear: become the franchise right tackle. Protect the quarterback. Anchor the line. Set the tone.
He was solid from the start. Reliable. Durable. Steady.
But in 2025, he crossed the line from “good” to “elite.”
With new offensive line coach Dan Roushar sharpening technique and veteran guard Jonah Jackson lining up beside him, Wright’s third season became a statement campaign. The right side of Chicago’s offensive line transformed into a no-fly zone for pass rushers and a demolition crew in the run game.
The numbers back it up.
In 638 pass-blocking snaps, Wright allowed just three sacks, three hits, and 19 total pressures. For context, that’s elite-level protection in a league where edge rushers are paid to wreak havoc. Yes, there were 11 penalties — but the aggression came with an edge, and that edge changed games.
He wasn’t just blocking defenders.
He was bullying them.
From Anchor to Enforcer
For two seasons, Wright had quietly held down the right side while rotating through different guard partners — from Teven Jenkins to Nate Davis. Stability wasn’t always there.
In 2025, stability arrived.
Paired with Jonah Jackson, Wright helped form one of the most physical duos in the NFC. In the run game especially, the Bears’ right side became a launching pad. Defensive ends were driven backward. Linebackers were sealed. Running lanes opened with authority.
And it wasn’t just technique — it was attitude.
Observers noticed a different Wright this season. More vocal. More aggressive. Playing with visible swagger. The kind of presence offensive lines need when games get tight in December.
By season’s end, he wasn’t just respected.
He was recognized.
Wright earned Second-Team All-Pro honors — confirmation that he had ascended into the upper tier of NFL right tackles.
The Contract Clock Is Ticking
Now comes the next chapter.
Heading into the 2026 season, Wright is eligible for a contract extension. The Bears haven’t signed a first-round pick to a long-term deal since Kyler Fuller in 2018 — but this situation feels different.
At minimum, Chicago is expected to pick up Wright’s fifth-year option, locking him in through 2027. But after a breakout All-Pro campaign, the bigger question looms:
Do the Bears secure their franchise tackle now before his price skyrockets?
Elite offensive linemen don’t get cheaper. And with quarterback Caleb Williams relying on protection to maximize the offense’s potential, Wright’s value to the franchise can’t be overstated.
Barring a surprise, the Bears appear ready to commit long-term.
And why wouldn’t they?
He’s 24 years old. Entering his prime. Fresh off the best season of his career. Anchoring a line that powered a playoff breakthrough.
The Bigger Picture
Chicago’s 2025 resurgence wasn’t magic.
It was structure. Coaching. Development. And young players taking leaps exactly when the franchise needed it most.
Darnell Wright’s leap might have been one of the most important.
Because flashy highlights win headlines — but dominant offensive tackles win divisions.
If 2025 was his arrival, 2026 could be his takeover.
And if the Bears lock him up long-term, they’re not just paying a tackle.
They’re investing in the foundation of everything they’re building.
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