Bears formally announce first big decision with All-Pro tackle Darnell Wright and it's only the first step of a much bigger decision

TL;DR

The Chicago Bears will exercise the fifth-year option on All-Pro tackle Darnell Wright, securing him through the 2027 season. This move is part of a larger strategy that includes potential extensions for other key players.

Key points

Bears plan to pick up fifth-year option on Darnell Wright
Wright's option secures him through the 2027 season
Projected cost for the option is $19,072,000
Bears have more big decisions coming in the next 12 months
Long-term extension for quarterback Caleb Williams is expected

Chicago BearsDarnell WrightCaleb Williams

The Chicago Bears officially plan to pick up the fifth-year option on second-team All-Pro right tackle Darnell Wright, locking him up for the 2027 season with an even bigger deal expected.

The Chicago Bears have a lot of big decisions coming down the tracks over the next 12 months headlined by a massive extension on the way for quarterback Caleb Williams. But, he’s not the only former first-round pick in line for a big pay day.

The Bears are also laying out the foundation for a long-term extension with right tackle Darnell Wright, who was named as a second-team All-Pro selection during his third NFL season.

Bears officially plan to pick up the fifth-year option on RT Darnell Wright for the 2027 season

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Bears plan to pick up the fifth-year option on Wright, locking him in with the team for the 2027 season. Per Over The Cap, the projected price for Wright’s option is expected to be $19,072,000.

The Bears actually lucked out with that price. Even though Wright was a second-team All-Pro at his position, he was not selected to the Pro Bowl during the 2025 season. If he had been selected to the Pro Bowl, his fifth-year option would have been $23,392,000.

Fifth-year option was an easy decision, now comes the hard part for Chicago

Exercising the fifth-year option was an easy call for the Bears to make. Wright is a budding star at the right tackle position and proved he can be among the best offensive linemen in the game after last season.

During the 2025 season in head coach Ben Johnson’s offense, Wright allowed three sacks and 19 pressures during the regular season while playing with a torn UCL in his elbow.

The next part will be the tricky part when it comes to ironing out a long-term extension. Technically, Wright is eligible to receive a new deal this offseason and it’s still undecided whether or not the Bears will choose to get the deal done early to beat the market or wait out the deal until next offseason. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when and how much.

According to the sources The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain spoke with, Wright's extension will be somewhere between $27-30 million on a three-four year deal which would rank Wright among the top players at his position.

Q&A

What is the projected cost for Darnell Wright's fifth-year option?

The projected cost for Darnell Wright's fifth-year option is expected to be $19,072,000.

What does the fifth-year option mean for Darnell Wright's contract?

Exercising the fifth-year option means the Bears are locking Darnell Wright in for the 2027 season, providing him with financial security while they negotiate a longer-term deal.

What other major decisions are the Chicago Bears facing in the next year?

The Bears are preparing for significant decisions, including a massive extension for quarterback Caleb Williams and potential contracts for other first-round picks.