For all the mistakes the Chicago Bears organization has made over the years, drafting Darnell Wright over Jalen Carter was not one of them. While many NFL analysts and fans criticized the move, it shouldn’t be viewed as controversial. Sometimes, addressing the team’s biggest need takes precedence over acquiring talent, and the Bears desperately needed help on the offensive line. Fast-forward to today, and having Wright anchoring the front to protect Caleb Williams is a decision Williams should be grateful for.
Caleb Williams Should Thank the Bears for This Decision in 2023
The Wright Decision
The 2024 season got off to a rough start for the Bears’ offensive line, leaving Caleb Williams constantly under pressure. 2023 first-round pick Darnell Wright started the season with a sophomore slump, allowing four sacks in the first four weeks. But then, everything changed. Since Week 4, Wright has allowed just one sack and three penalties. In Week 12, he delivered a standout performance against the Minnesota Vikings, allowing zero pressures on 58 pass-blocking snaps and earning a 77.0 PFF grade—the fifth-highest among Bears players. Wright’s impressive turnaround is a testament to his talent and a reason for optimism among Bears fans.
#Bears Darnell Wright blocking forever pic.twitter.com/xNlHLzgom6
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) November 26, 2024
Jalen Carter Wouldn’t Survive in Chicago
Jalen Carter is a key piece on defense for the Philadelphia Eagles, and there’s no question he’s extremely talented. However, concerns about his demeanor surfaced during the draft process. ESPN reported:
“Some Georgia coaches, according to sources familiar with the pre-draft process, relayed that Carter didn’t always go hard, had an abrasive demeanor at times and often played by his own set of rules.”
At the time, the Bears were focused on building a new culture, and Carter wasn’t the type of player they needed. With no stable foundation in Chicago to support a player like him, Ryan Poles made a calculated decision during the draft to trade down one spot with the Eagles to draft Darnell Wright. The Eagles, confident in their ability to manage Carter, took a chance, but it hasn’t been all smiles with Carter in Philadephia.
This season against the New Orleans Saints, there was an incident on the sideline where Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and Carter got into a heated exchange that resulted in Carter being held back by a staff member. Considering how turbulent the past two seasons have been for the Bears, it’s easy to envision Carter having similar emotional outbursts if he had been with the Bears.
Jalen Carter and Sirianni arguing on the sideline and Carter has to be held back. #PHIvsNO pic.twitter.com/iMLiglI7Qa
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) September 22, 2024
Finding Talented Offensive Linemen Comes with a Price
During the 2023 NFL free agency, the top free-agent offensive tackles were the following:
- Orlando Brown Jr.
- Mike McGlinchey
- Jawaan Taylor
- Kaleb McGary
- Isaiah Wynn
Now, would the Bears have been better off paying 15 mil+ for one of these guys? Probably not. While Darnell Wright hasn’t looked like an All-Pro like Penei Sewell, he’s been one of the better tackles in the NFL. In fact, Wright and Braxton Jones are one of four tackle duos in the NFL with top-25 PFF grades.
Speaking of Sewell, the Detroit Lions have dominated the NFL this season, thanks largely to their elite offensive line. Building the best unit up front came at a price—high draft capital. Here’s where each Lions starting offensive lineman was drafted:
- LT – Taylor Decker (1st Round)
- LG Frank Glasnow (3rd Round)
- C Frank Ragnow (1st Round)
- RG Kevin Zeitler (1st Round)
- RT Penei Sewell (1st Round)
Although the Lions didn’t draft all five of these players, it underscores the importance of investing premium draft picks in the offensive line to dominate in the trenches. The Bears made the first step in the right direction drafting Wright. Let’s hope they continue to address the offensive line early and often in the draft.
Main Image: Daniel Bartel – USA Today Sports
