The Chicago Bears' offensive line was dealt a blow just over 24 hours before Sunday's pivotal clash against the San Francisco 49ers. On Saturday afternoon, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that starting right tackle Darnell Wright has picked up "an illness and will not travel with the team" until Sunday at the earliest.
Even though he isn't ruled out just yet, it's hard to imagine Wright traveling across the country and suiting up when he's sick enough to be questionable. And it goes without saying that being without the star blocker would hurt the Bears' offensive potential, as he's only given up 18 pressures on 554 passing downs this season (3.2%) after surrendering 30 on 662 opportunities last year (4.5%), per Pro Football Focus.
It's the final two weeks of the regular season, though, meaning the Bears can't dwell on Wright's situation, regardless of whether he suits up or not. Head coach Ben Johnson will turn to the next man to step up, which could end up being Theo Benedet in this case.
Bears Might Need Theo Benedet to Step Up Amid Darnell Wright Concerns
After going undrafted in 2024, Benedet made his way to the Windy City in hopes of carving out a role for himself on the offensive line. The Toronto, ON native had won the J. P. Metras Trophy as Canada's top collegiate linemen twice, which left Bears fans feeling optimistic that he could develop into one of the team's key blockers.
Benedet opened the year as a backup; however, Braxton Jones' early-season struggles and injuries opened the door for the former to start at left tackle. Much to everyone's dismay, though, Benedet failed to capitalize on his opportunity, only seeing five offensive snaps since Week 13 now that Ozzy Trapilo has run away with the LT1 job.
But just when he seemed destined to be a backup, Benedet could end up starting at right tackle for the Bears if Wright is forced to miss Week 17. It doesn't make sense to move Trapilo over when he's driving on quarterback Caleb Williams' blind side, meaning it's more likely that Benedet could take over Wright's snaps at RT, where he previously played 39 snaps in Weeks 3 and 4.
If he's forced to play and makes the most of his returner as a starter, Benedet could convince the Bears that he should be a part of their long-term OL plans. The 6-foot-7, 305-pound protector is slated to be an exclusive rights free agent in March, and proving that he can be a reliable starter in a pinch might be enough for general manager Ryan Poles to bring him back for the 2026 campaign.
It's the time of the NFL campaign when unlikely heroes step up when their teams need them the most. Benedet be the next player to join that trend if Wright is forced to miss Sunday Night Football, and doing what's asked of him could potentially make the Bears' upcoming offseason decision on him that much easier.