Darnell Wright has become the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle after agreeing a four-year, $116m contract extension with the Chicago Bears.

The agreement reportedly contains $93m guaranteed, more than any previous contract for an offensive lineman, and ties Wright to Chicago through the 2031 season. His $29m average annual salary now ranks second among all NFL tackles, behind only Washington Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil at $30.1m.

Wright learned that negotiations had been completed during the closing stages of Tuesday’s walkthrough. General manager Ryan Poles attracted his attention from an office overlooking the Bears’ indoor practice field before the news was shared with his team-mates.

“I was excited,” Wright told the team’s website. “I’m happy. I’m very happy. It was kind of surprising. Not surprising it happened, but I was surprised that it was done and finished.”

The size of Chicago’s investment reflects Wright’s development since the Bears selected him tenth overall in 2023. The former Tennessee tackle has started all 49 of his regular season appearances, adding two more starts during last season’s playoff run, and earned second-team All-Pro recognition in 2025 as Chicago won the NFC North and reached the divisional round. He helped anchor a line that allowed 24 sacks, the third-lowest total in the NFL, while Caleb Williams established a Bears single-season record for passing yards. Chicago also finished third in rushing and became the league’s only team with two players exceeding 750 yards on the ground. The offense committed an NFL-low 11 turnovers during the regular season.

“As we continue to build our team and develop our culture, we are excited that Darnell will remain a cornerstone of our franchise,” Poles said. “Darnell has consistently elevated his play and the performance of his team-mates since joining our team, and we look forward to his continued growth and leadership for years to come.”

The extension provides long-term stability at one of the most important positions in Ben Johnson’s offense and removes another potential negotiation from Chicago’s future agenda. Wright’s fifth-year option had already kept him under contract through 2027, but the Bears chose to secure him before another season could further increase his market value. Johnson said Wright epitomised the work ethic and belief on which the Bears were building their culture, describing him as an integral part of the organisation’s attempt to establish sustained success.

For Wright, the agreement also rewards the relationship he has developed with the franchise that drafted him.

“Ryan, he’s still here, and I wouldn’t say necessarily he took a chance on me, but he put his faith into me when he made that [draft] decision,” Wright said. “[Then there’s] all the coaches here that have invested in me and all the people here that have invested in me… This is where I’ve made my roots.”