Chicago Bears have $30 million decision to make on key starter

The Chicago Bears spent much of last offseason overhauling the offensive line.

From trading for All-Pro Joe Thuney, who became the first Protector of the Year Award winner, guard Jonah Jackson, and signing top free agent center Drew Dalman. Those upgrades paid major dividends, as the Bears finished among the top rushing offenses in the league, and Caleb Willams was sacked just 24 times after withstanding a barrage of 68 sacks as a rookie.

But, general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears will have a daunting and expensive decision to make this offseason, in terms of the future of the offensive line.

Chicago Bears have major Darnell Wright decision to make

While last offseason’s wholesale changes largely centered around adding reliable veterans from the outside, Poles and the Bears have a big decision to make on one of Chicago’s homegrown talents, tackle Darnell Wright.

Wright, chosen with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, is eligible for a contract extension for the first time, and the Bears must decide whether to exercise is fifth-year option this spring, as well.

But, as far as a long-term contract extension, that could be expensive, but might also lower his cap number, as well.

According to multiple sources that Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic spoke to, Wright’s value could push to upwards of $30 million.

“One agent viewed Wright, considering his age and the way the position has been paid,” Fishbain writes for The Athletic. “As worthy of a contract worth around $27 million per year, which would surpass future Hall of Famer Lane Johnson. This is a good time to remember that the quarterback with the highest average salary is Dak Prescott, not, say, Patrick Mahomes. That suggested contract would be for three years, through 2030, after the fifth-year option.

“The other agent said he would seek to reset the tackle market with a four-year contract worth $120 million. Penei Sewell is currently the league leader at the position, earning an average of $28 million per year.”

Poles has spent two years proving that he’ll pay a premium to protect his franchise quarterback.

Now, he has to decide if Wright is the indispensable cornerstone worth a record-breaking check, or if the “Bears’ Blueprint” requires finding efficiency elsewhere as the Caleb Williams era enters its expensive second phase.

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