NFL Playoffs Spotlight: Byron Young vs. Darnell Wright - Former Tennessee Teammates Set for High-Stakes Showdown
When the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears clash in Sunday night's NFC Divisional Round, one of the most compelling matchups won’t just be team vs. team - it’ll be a one-on-one battle in the trenches between two former teammates turned playoff foes: Rams EDGE rusher Byron Young and Bears right tackle Darnell Wright.
These two know each other well. They spent two seasons side by side at Tennessee, anchoring opposite sides of the line of scrimmage during the early years of Josh Heupel’s tenure in Knoxville.
Wright, a veteran presence by then, had already logged two seasons with the Vols before Young arrived in 2021 by way of Georgia Military College. Together, they were key pieces in Tennessee’s resurgence, helping the Vols to an 18-8 record over those two seasons.
Now, they’ll face off with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line - and it’s not just nostalgia driving the hype. This is a true heavyweight matchup between two players who’ve quickly become standouts at the next level.
Pro Football Focus named Young vs. Wright as one of the top eight player matchups to watch this weekend - and for good reason.
Young’s rookie season in L.A. hasn’t just been solid; it’s been quietly dominant. Among all qualified edge defenders, he ranks ninth in overall PFF grade (85.6), tied for 11th in pass-rush grade (83.8), and seventh in run-defense grade (78.3).
He’s also tied for 10th at the position in PFF Wins Above Replacement - a testament to the all-around impact he’s had on the Rams’ defensive front.
But Wright hasn’t exactly been taking a back seat. The Bears’ offensive line has been one of the league’s most reliable units this season, and Wright has been a major reason why. The third-year tackle ranks 12th among qualified tackles in overall PFF grade (81.7), and his 3.2% pressure rate allowed is one of the best in the league - trailing only veteran standout Garett Bolles.
This is the kind of matchup offensive and defensive line coaches dream about - two players who know each other’s strengths, tendencies, and tells. And while they’ve each grown since their Tennessee days, the familiarity adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already pivotal playoff game.
Wright’s college résumé speaks for itself. In 2022, he earned First Team All-SEC honors and was twice named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week - once in the Vols’ memorable win over Alabama and again against Kentucky. That season helped launch him into the NFL as the 10th overall pick in the 2023 draft, where he immediately stepped in as a cornerstone on Chicago’s line.
His durability and workload in college were also remarkable - logging 2,746 offensive snaps during his time in Knoxville, a number that’s becoming increasingly rare in today’s game.
Young’s rise was just as impressive, albeit on the other side of the ball. Making the leap from JUCO to the SEC is no small feat, but he made it look seamless.
Young earned First Team All-SEC honors in his final season and was twice named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, delivering big-time performances against Pitt and LSU. The Rams took him in the third round of the 2023 draft (77th overall), and he wasted no time making an impact, quickly carving out a starting role in L.A.’s defense.
He started 21 of his 24 games at Tennessee, and that consistency has translated to the pros - where he’s become a key disruptor for a Rams defense that thrives on pressure and speed off the edge.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday night in Chicago, with the game airing on NBC. And while the spotlight will be on stars across the field, don’t be surprised if the outcome hinges on the battle between two former Vols who know exactly what the other is bringing to the table.