Caleb Williams will always be the player getting the most attention in Chicago, and that’s just how life works when you’re a quarterback expected to change the direction of a franchise. But if you’re looking for the most important player on the Bears’ roster outside of that position, Darnell Wright has a strong argument.
The right tackle is coming off a standout season that earned him second-team All-Pro honors, and his continued dominance could be the foundation that allows Chicago’s offense to take another step forward.
Quarterbacks need weapons, but they also need time. That’s where Wright becomes so important.
With head coach Ben Johnson looking to build an explosive passing game, keeping the pocket clean is going to be a major part of the equation. Wright’s ability to control the right side of the offensive line gives Williams the kind of stability young quarterbacks rarely get at this point in their careers.
A great offensive line doesn’t always get the same amount of looks as a flashy receiver or high-scoring quarterback, but it can help determine how good an offense becomes. When protection breaks down, everything changes. Decisions get rushed and even the most talented quarterbacks start fighting uphill.
That’s why Wright’s role is oh-so important.
The Bears also have plenty of intriguing pieces around him. Their tight end duo of Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet gives Chicago one of the most difficult matchups in football, with two players capable of creating problems for the other side in different ways. Having that kind of versatility only makes the offense more intimidating.
Still, it starts up front.
Williams may be the face of the franchise, but Wright is one of the reasons the quarterback can have a chance to succeed.