Right tackle Darnell Wright wants to stay with the Chicago Bears' organization for his entire career. While his representation works on a potential extension, the Bears' offensive lineman will focus on playing football.
Following the Chicago Bears' third training camp practice of the summer, right tackle Darnell Wright spoke to the media. Earlier in the week, Bears general manager Ryan Poles discussed his stance about a potential extension for Wright, as he enters his fourth NFL season.
“I think there's a window to get a deal done and then at some point we have to go play football," Poles said on Tuesday. "So we'll figure that part out. But obviously, I think I've said it before, Darnell's the guy we want here long term. It takes two sides to get things done, but at the end of the day, I don't want any distractions or anything like that. So when it's time to go play football, we'll go play football and keep it moving. But, he's a guy we would like here for a while.”
Wright shared that same sentiment on Friday, expressing his desire to remain with the Chicago Bears for his entire career. The Bears' right tackle is also focused on just football and will let his agent take care of the contract.
"I mean, I kind of, the reason you have representation is because you let those guys go in, and they handle some of those things for you," Wright said. "So, you know, my job is to play football handle that part of it. Their job is to talk, and so you know, I'm just trying to handle my piece, and those things take care of themselves."
Wright played his best football in 2025, establishing himself as one of the best right tackles in the NFL after allowing just 19 total pressures and three sacks. Still, Poles expressed that he wants to see "consistency" in Wright's game, noting that "the flashes and the stacks of plays that he puts together" are impressive, but "can be consistent day in and day out?"
The 6-foot-5, 325-pound right tackle has an opportunity to answer that question as he enters his second season in Ben Johnson's offense. Although the O-line will have a new center from last season, Wright still has Jonah Jackson as his left guard, providing continuity for the 24-year-old offensive tackle.
Now it's up to Wright to prove that we can play with the steadiness that Poles is looking for this year.
"Just consistent in probably just showing up everyday," Wright said. "I mean, there's little pieces sometimes [that] can lapse. Maybe it's my stance on a particular down, I mean, just little things that, you know, everyone has. ..."
Regardless of when a contract extension becomes finalized, Wright understands his priority for the 2026 season: play football. And if he performs up to his potential, a lucrative new contract and long-term stability for the next several years of his NFL career will follow.
