Darnell Wright

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Darnell Wright's four-year, $21M extension earns an F CVI grade, representing a significant overpay for a tackle who hasn't proven he can anchor an NFL offensive line at a starter level. At $5.2M annually with full guarantee coverage, the Bears are paying above-average starter money for what appears to be replacement-level production through his early career. The complete guaranteed structure amplifies the risk, essentially betting Wright's entire rookie contract value on unproven development with no financial flexibility if he continues to struggle. While offensive tackle is a premium position where teams often overpay for potential, this deal suggests Chicago either sees dramatic improvement that isn't reflected in his on-field performance or significantly misjudged the market for a player of Wright's caliber. The Bears have locked themselves into paying starter money for a tackle who may not be a long-term solution, creating both salary cap inefficiency and potential roster complications if they need to upgrade the position.

Performance Analysis

Darnell Wright earns an F for the Bears at offensive tackle, the absolute lowest grade for a first-round pick who was expected to be the anchor of Chicago's offensive line. Wright has been completely sidelined by injuries, unable to get on the field and protect the franchise quarterback the Bears have invested in. The unavailability has been devastating for a Chicago offensive line that desperately needs talent at the tackle position. The Bears drafted Wright expecting a long-term starter, and the return on that investment has been zero games of production. It is one of the more frustrating situations in the NFL when talent is present but health will not cooperate.

Current Sentiment

Darnell Wright carries a B- sentiment grade heading into 2026 — a quietly respectable standing for a 24-year-old offensive tackle who has largely avoided controversy while steadily building credibility in Chicago. The driving force behind that perception is neutrality itself: Wright isn't generating the kind of polarizing coverage that typically defines young linemen, occupying instead the middle ground where solid, unspectacular development quietly earns organizational trust. That measured public goodwill stands in notable contrast to his performance grade, which reflects a gap between perception and on-field impact that the third-year tackle will need to close as he enters what should be a pivotal year on his rookie scale contract. On the roster-construction front, the Bears' offseason activity adds interesting texture to Wright's standing — Chicago's signing of Jedrick Wills at offensive tackle introduces a credible veteran presence at his position, which could either sharpen the competition narrative around Wright or quietly pressure his long-term starting claim. The conversation gaining the most traction in league circles centers on what a Wright extension could look like, and the fact that that discussion exists at all signals that the Bears view him as part of their foundation rather than a placeholder — a perception boost that keeps his B- sentiment from dipping despite the performance questions that remain unanswered.