The Chicago Bears picked up the fifth-year option and are going to extend Darnell Wright soon. The question appears to be when they will extend him and not if. When talking about Wright and his growth entering a season with a contract on the line, head coach Ben Johnson was highly complimentary of his star right tackle.
Chicago Bears head coach praises right tackle Darnell Wright
Johnson went out of his way to highlight the professionalism that Wright has been showing in these minicamp sessions. These are the dog days of the offseason, and players can tend to go through the motions, but it is valuable for new names and young players to pick these things up. Wright is stepping up as a leader and showing the right way to handle these practices.
More than that, Johnson revealed that the offense in general is different because of Wright. They run plays that most teams would run to their left tackle's side to the side of the Wright, because he is the better option.Â
It could also be because the team does not have a real solution on the left side. That has been the case since Johnson has been here as well. They started with Braxton Jones at left tackle, then shifted to Theo Benedet before Ozzy Trapilo jumped in. This year, it appears to be Jones again, but he has competition.
Because of that, the Bears have not been as confident in being strong on the left side. So, Wright has relieved a lot of pressure by being more than capable as the right tackle.Â
This could be a familiar thought for Johnson, though. Johnson coached the Detroit Lions when Penei Sewell was at right tackle. Although they had a stronger left tackle option than Chicago does, the team was still better on the right side.Â
Wright is entering his fourth year and has only missed two career starts. After making the second-team All-Pro last year, all eyes are on him to make the first-team this year. With that in mind, he should be looking to top the right tackle market, or at least get near it in free agency.
Sewell and Tristan Wirfs are making $28M per year, but both switched to the left side. The highest-paid right tackle is at $25M per year. Expect Wright to clear $25M and potentially get as high as the $28M per year that Wirfs and Sewell set the market with.
| More Bears News and Rumors |
Add us as a preferred source on Google