Latest news with #DarnellWright
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears RT Darnell Wright exits practice with apparent injury
Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright left Thursday's training camp practice with an apparent injury, according to Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs. According to Biggs, Wright "came up awkward" during the final team period of Thursday's non-padded practice ahead of Friday's joint workout with the Miami Dolphins. More to come. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Darnell Wright (No. 9)
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Next up at No. 9 is right tackle Darnell Wright, who will be key to the offensive line's success and protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. Background Position: Right tackle Age: 23 Experience: 3rd season 2025 cap hit: $5.7 million 2024 recap Wright is a rising star at right tackle, and he's coming off an impressive second season with Chicago where he started in 16 games and missed just one. He was a lone bright spot along an offensive line that allowed a league-high and franchise-record 68 sacks on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams (six of those were allowed by Wright). Wright was the fifth-highest graded right tackle, per Pro Football Focus, at 79.3 -- and that was on one of the NFL's worst offensive lines. He thrived both as a pass blocker and run blocker, but he was better in the run game (82.2) than pass protection (75.4). 2025 outlook Wright is the only starting offensive lineman guaranteed to start under this new regime in 2025. He's entering his third year as the starting right tackle, and this is easily the best supporting cast he's had since being drafted by Chicago. The Bears overhauled the entire interior with guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and center Drew Dalman. Now, Wright will anchor the right side with Jackson, where protecting quarterback Caleb Williams is the most important thing. While there was a brief moment where it appeared the Bears might consider moving Wright to left tackle, with Braxton Jones sidelined by injury, Wright is too valuable at right tackle and there's now an open competition on the left side. Wright has consistently been a solid pass protector and run blocker, and this could be the year where he takes a massive step in what could be a key year for his future in Chicago. Big question: Will Wright play his way into a contract extension? General manager Ryan Poles has rewarded players for their productive play, and it seems like Wright could very well be in line for a contract extension as early as next offseason. Wright has quietly been one of the Bears' most dependable offensive linemen -- along some pretty bad lines -- and he's come as one heck of a bargain. While most starting right tackles make between $10-15 million per year, Wright will cost $5.7 million against the cap in 2025 and $6.6 million in 2026. But Chicago will have to pay him at some point, as they've paid other cornerstones on offense and defense. So, if the Bears are wise, they'll strike while the iron is hot -- during the 2026 offseason -- and lock Wright down to an affordable long-term extension to keep a core member of the offensive line in place for the foreseeable future. Given Wright's performance in his first two seasons -- with some struggling lines -- the stage is set for him to be even more productive in Year 3 and play his way into an extension. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025 #30 - RB Roschon Johnson #29 - QB Case Keenum #28 - K Cairo Santos #27 - DT Andrew Billings #26 - CB Tyrique Stevenson #25 - WR Luther Burden III #24 - RG Jonah Jackson #23 - LB Tremaine Edmunds #22 - DE Dayo Odeyingbo #21 - S Kevin Byard #20 - S Jaquan Brisker #19 - LB T.J. Edwards #18 - TE Cole Kmet #17 - DT Grady Jarrett #16 - DT Gervon Dexter #15 - RB D'Andre Swift #14 - TE Colston Loveland #13 - OT Ozzy Trapilo #12 - OT Braxton Jones #11 - WR DJ Moore #10 CB Kyler Gordon #9 - OT Darnell Wright #8 - Coming 7/22 #7 - Coming 7/23 #6 - Coming 7/24 #5 - Coming 7/25 #4 - Coming 7/26 #3 - Coming 7/27 #2 - Coming 7/28 #1 - Coming 7/29 Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Important Bears of 2025: Darnell Wright (No. 9)
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Darnell Wright Turns Heads at Bears Minicamp, Sparks Role Speculation
Darnell Wright Turns Heads at Bears Minicamp, Sparks Role Speculation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Mini camp is officially in the books for the Chicago Bears, and while head coach Ben Johnson made it clear the team is 'not ready for primetime,' he emphasized that there's plenty of good to build on. The early stages of this new regime have been all about installing structure, energy, and evaluation. And on the final day of practice, a surprising highlight came from one of the team's biggest men in the trenches. Advertisement In a clip posted by Bears insider Zach Pearson, offensive lineman Darnell Wright stole the spotlight with an unexpected show of athleticism. '#Bears practice in the books today. Some fun to start practice with OL and QBs catching passes. Bears OTAGetty Images Here's Darnell Wright making a nice one handed catch,' Pearson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The video shows Wright twisting and extending to make a spectacular one-handed grab, setting off laughs and applause from teammates. Following practice, Johnson explained the reasoning behind the drill: 'I let those guys know, we only do this once a year and it's an evaluation. We'll circle back in training camp and in the season to see who we can trust to catch the ball or throw the ball. I think there's a couple guys on the O-line that stood out.' Darnell WrightGetty Images Wright, who started 16 games at right tackle last season, has become a cornerstone on the Bears' line. Johnson, who famously dialed up creative formations in Detroit—such as using tackle-eligible plays and misdirection—may already have ideas forming. Advertisement While linemen like Wright aren't often targeted in games, the mere threat could force opposing defenses to prepare for something out of the ordinary. And with Wright's athleticism, it's not hard to imagine a trick play or two waiting in the wings. Related: Chicago Bears Schedule: Caleb Williams Set for First-Ever Head-to-Head Meeting with Future Hall-of-Famer Related: Key Defensive Starter Returns from Injury to Spark Bears Unit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Every player drafted with 10th overall pick in the last 10 years
Every player drafted with 10th overall pick in the last 10 years The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2025 NFL draft, where they're slated to have seven picks, including four in the Top 75. That all starts with the 10th overall pick, which marks the third straight year that Chicago has a top-10 selection. Last year, they landed quarterback Caleb Williams (No. 1) and receiver Rome Odunze (No. 10). This year, they're looking for the best player available to further shore up the roster. When looking at the history of the No. 10 pick, there have been some star players selected, including a future Hall of Fame quarterback, but there have also been some failures. Can the Bears turn this next selection into a star? Only time will tell. Here's a look at every player drafted 10th overall in the last 10 years dating back to 2015. 2024: QB J.J. McCarthy (Vikings) J.J. McCarthy didn't play a regular-season snap after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason. He was competing for the starting job for veteran Sam Darnold, who went on to have a Pro Bowl season leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record and playoff appearance. With Darnold now in Seattle, it looks like McCarthy is in line to start for Minnesota. 2023: RT Darnell Wright (Bears) The Bears traded back from the No. 9 spot in this draft, where they landed an extra fourth rounder while passing on Jalen Carter. But they also got a franchise right tackle in Darnell Wright, who was the lone spot in the offensive trenches last season and graded out as the NFL's fifth-best right tackle, according to Pro Football Focus. Wright has been a two-year starter since his rookie season, and he'll now benefit from the addition of veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. 2022: WR Garrett Wilson (Jets) The Jets have been in quarterback hell for some time, but Garrett Wilson has been absolute money for New York since being drafted. Wilson, who was a star at Ohio State, started all 17 games and posted 95 receptions for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie season, where he also went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Wilson has posted 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his first three seasons, and he's poised to receive a massive pay day. 2021: WR DeVonta Smith (Eagles) DeVonta Smith continues the recent trend of star wide receivers selected at 10th overall. He's been a true playmaker for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense, where he's eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in two of his first four seasons (and no less than 833 yards, which came in 2024). Smith played a key role in Philadelphia's Super Bowl run as part of a 1-2 punch with A.J. Brown. 2020: OT Jedrick Wills (Browns) Jedrick Wills is the first failure on this list. He was highly touted coming out of Alabama, but he was highly scrutinized during his five-year tenure with Cleveland, which included questions about his commitment to the game and injury concerns in recent years. Wills is currently a free agent looking for a new team after his rookie contract, that included a fifth year option, with Cleveland ended. 2019: LB Devin Bush (Steelers) Devin Bush showed plenty of promise in his rookie season, but his time in Pittsburgh didn't outlast his rookie deal. In his rookie season, Bush started 15 games, totaling 109 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, and showed promise. After suffering a torn ACL in his second season, his production fell off with the Steelers, and he joined the Seahawks in free agency. But Bush seems to have found some resurgence since joining the Browns, who recently re-signed him to a one-year deal. 2018: QB Josh Rosen (Cardinals) This is the biggest bust on this list. Josh Rosen was considered by some to be the "most NFL ready" quarterback in the 2018 class, which couldn't have aged worst with Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson's emergences. Rosen was a disaster in his rookie season, throwing for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, a 66.7 passer rating, which was the worst among qualifying passers and going 3-10 as a starter. The good news? Arizona was so bad in his rookie season that they went on to land the No. 1 overall pick and Kyler Murray in the 2019 NFL draft. 2017: QB Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) This one will forever sting for Bears fans. After trading up one spot to select Mitchell Trubisky, the Chiefs were able to land Patrick Mahomes with the 10th overall pick. Mahomes needs to introduction, and his resume is a long one. He's a three-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Super Bowl MVP, a two-time NFL MVP, two-time First-Team All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler, 2018 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and is a future Hall of Famer. 2016: CB Eli Apple (Giants) Eli Apple is certainly a recognizable name, but not in the way he'd probably like. He's another failed top-10 pick who only lasted three seasons with the Giants before he was traded to the Saints during the 2018 season. Apple was made infamous after allowing Cooper Kupp to score the game-winning touchdown as the Rams defeated the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. He has spent time with six teams since entering the league, and he's currently a free agent. 2015: RB Todd Gurley (Rams) For all intents and purposes, Todd Gurley was a stud pick at 10th overall given his early resume. Gurley had an impressive rookie season, where he 1,106 yards in 13 games, earning him Offensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro nods. He went on to be a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler, 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and two-time NFL rushing touchdowns leader (2017-18). But a lingering knee issue spelled the end of his tenure with Los Angeles, and he was never the same. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears RT Darnell Wright had hilarious response about switching positions
With the 2025 NFL draft less than two weeks away, the Chicago Bears have plenty of options with the 10th overall pick. There's been plenty of debate on whether the Bears should target another offensive lineman, to add to the offseason makeover they've had in the trenches, or target a playmaker, specifically at the running back position. Advertisement With the offensive line being rebuilt for head coach Ben Johnson, with the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and center Drew Dalman, the Bears are no longer as desperate as they once were. The one position still in question is left tackle, which has been occupied by Braxton Jones for the past three years, while right tackle Darnell Wright continued his stellar play on the opposite side. Speaking to the media during the team's offseason program, Wright was asked about a potential move to left tackle, and he had a hilarious response. "Well, they said I was going over to quarterback," Wright said. Wright obviously isn't moving to quarterback, and as the Bears look to establish a powerful offensive line, he's likely cemented at the right tackle position. The quarterback spot will be held down by Caleb Williams, who will enter his second year with his third different head coach, and Wright will play a key role in ensuring his success. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears RT Darnell Wright had funny response about switching positions
