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Bears' Darnell Wright Should Be Early Favorite for NFL Honors
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- Bears' Darnell Wright Should Be Early Favorite for NFL Honors
The Chicago Bears have found a cornerstone on their offensive line in Darnell Wright , whose dominant start to the season has helped keep the offense efficient despite losing quarterback Caleb Williams . The 2023 first-round pick has improved every season of his career, and his latest performance suggests he is entering an entirely new tier among NFL offensive tackles. At this point, Wright has a legitimate case as one of the league's five best players at his position, if not one of the top three.
Wright's outstanding pass protection should also put him firmly in the conversation for the NFL's Protector of the Year Award. However, the early betting markets haven't given the Bears' right tackle much recognition. With elite production against quality pass rushers, Wright deserves more attention as he continues to establish himself as one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen.
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Wright Should Absolutely Be an Early Protector of the Year Favorite
Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Wright has been a critical piece of the Bears' offense and a major reason the unit has remained efficient despite losing Williams. Since Chicago drafted him in 2023, Wright has improved every season. Now, he is truly coming into his own and arguably ranks among the NFL's top five offensive tackles. Given how well he has played this season, a top-three ranking isn't out of the question.
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According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) tracking, Wright has allowed just one sack and three pressures across 163 pass-blocking snaps this season . That translates to a sack rate of less than 1% and a remarkable pressure rate of approximately 1.8% of his pass-blocking snaps. Additionally, PFF has graded him as the NFL's best offensive tackle, giving him a 92.0 grade. Wright has taken significant strides forward and continues to develop into an elite player.
This is Wright's best season yet, and his production at right tackle should put him firmly in the early conversation for Protector of the Year.
Wright Is Getting Snubbed in the Betting Markets
Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Despite his outstanding production, Wright hasn't received much attention in the early betting markets for this prestigious honor. Instead, the odds feature a familiar list of established names, making the race feel more like a popularity contest than a reflection of on-field performance. Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell appears to be the consensus early favorite across multiple markets. There's no denying Sewell's talent; he is unquestionably one of the NFL's best offensive tackles.
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However, Sewell has allowed nearly twice as many pressures as Wright despite playing a similar number of snaps. Last season, Wright's teammate Joe Thuney won the award, and he deserved the recognition. So why hasn't the NFL world caught up to Wright's dominant start, particularly after he faced excellent pass rushers such as Jaelan Phillips , Nolan Smith , and David Bailey ?
If Wright continues to deliver at this level, the lack of early recognition could become additional motivation. The Bears' right tackle is building a compelling case for one of the NFL's top offensive line honors, and his performance should make him impossible to ignore for much longer.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
