VFL and Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright. Photo via Chicago @Bears on Twitter.
A former Tennessee offensive lineman set a new record on Tuesday. Former Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright signed a five-year, $116 million extension with the Chicago Bears, Ian Rappaport and Jeremy Fowler first reported.
The $116 million contract extension was massive to begin with but the $93 million guaranteed is the most ever for an offensive lineman.
Wright is entering his fourth season with the Bears and was a key part of Chicago’s resurgent 2025 season that saw the Bears post an 11-6 record and win a playoff game for the first time since 2010.
Chicago drafted Wright with the 10th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and he’s been a full-time starter for the Bears since. After an up-and-down first two seasons, Wright broke out as one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL a season ago.
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Wright was a multi-year starter at Tennessee, originally signing to play for Jeremy Pruitt and staying with the Vols after Josh Heupel took over as head coach. Wright was solid during the 2021 season but became one of the most important pieces on the Vols’ breakout 2022 team.
That season, Wright twice earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors while also being a unanimous First Team All-SEC selection. Wright was one of 14 FBS players to total over 850 snaps and not allow a single sack. He particularly impressed against Alabama star Will Anderson in the Vols’ legendary losing streak ending loss.
Wright has been one of the most successful Heupel era Tennessee players in the NFL. While offensive skill position players have struggled in the NFL, Wright and former edge rusher Byron Young have become two of the best VFLs in the NFL.