LAKE FOREST, Ill., — When the Chicago Bears selected Darnell Wright out of Tennessee No. 10 overall a few years back, they envisioned him as the first key piece on their offensive line to build around.
In his third season now, Wright has developed into a franchise right tackle, playing at a high level in 2025. His head coach, Ben Johnson, had nothing but praise for how the right tackle has played.
"Really prideful in how he goes about his business and the fact that he's out there, he didn't want to come out when it happened, even though it was pretty obvious when you watch the tape, it was a factor a few games ago on him," Johnson said. "He's a tough guy. I think the biggest thing to me is he's been a very consistent player since the season started."
MORE: How Darnell Wright dominated in Week 1
Johnson has only been with Wright for this one season, but even in the draft process, the right tackle caught his eye out of Tennessee. The head coach knew he was a special talent; it was just whether or not he could put it all together.
"You knew what the talent was going to be. I saw it coming out of Tennessee," Johnson said. "I loved the player coming out of Tennessee, myself. You just wondered, 'Hey, is he going to be able to put it all together?'"
Wright has put it all together.
In seven games, Wright has allowed just one sack, six total pressures, and has only six penalties. He has a 2.3 percent pressure rate on drop-backs this season, third best among all offensive tackles. After struggling with some penalties early in the season, he's cleaned it up and has turned in some impressive games. Not only is he getting it done in pass blocking, but he's also been a dominant run blocker.
Each game, it feels like Wright is making a big play in the run game to spring free a back. Against Cincinnati, he cleared out first-round pick Shemar Stewart to open up a big run lane for a nice gain. The development of Wright has been fun to watch, and for him, Johnson might be the perfect match.
"I feel like I have an actual role in a bunch of games," Wright said on Wednesday. "I think he [Ben Johnson] does a good job, if he purposely does it or not, but he makes us feel like, you know offensive line you don't score touchdowns but you do play pivotal role, I think he does a good job making it clear to you even though moreso obviously you're going to do your job, that you are a pivotal piece of this play."
Wright figures to be in the long-term plans for the Bears and now the only thing left to do is a long-term extension.
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