Darnell Wright Admits He's Intentionally Annoying One Particular Teammate

Rookies in the NFL are usually expected to stay quiet and learn. They don't know enough to be vocal about anything. Their time will come, and it must be earned. It's no different for Darnell Wright. While he is the 10th overall pick in the 2023 draft, he comes into a locker room filled with veteran leaders. The best thing for him to do is watch them operate and listen to what his coaches tell him. However, Wright also understands he can't improve without information. The only way to do that is by asking questions.

That means going to more experienced teammates and bending their ears about what he must do to become a quality NFL starter. To his credit, Wright has no qualms about doing this. During his latest press conference, he admitted that he's been seeking advice at every opportunity. Nobody on the roster has drawn his attention more than fellow tackle Braxton Jones. The rookie has gone to him for advice constantly, even admitting that his incessant questions have probably become annoying.

"I've been talking to him a lot. I've been in his ear probably more than he wants. He was a rookie last year. [I'm] trying to learn from him and how he did it. He's definitely been a big mentor for me just to bring me along, show me some things, a lot of mistakes he made."

Darnell Wright has the right idea.

If anybody can give him the right advice about what to do this year, it's Jones. He started every game as a rookie last year. There were plenty of lessons involved along the way. He made lots of mistakes. Those lessons gave him invaluable experience that helped him improve down the stretch. Now that newfound knowledge can be used to help Wright avoid the same pitfalls. Annoyed or not, Jones has made it clear that he is more than open to helping the 1st round pick fast-track his preparation for this season.

It's not a one-sided relationship, though. Jones admitted Darnell Wright has already taught him some things as well. The rookie has certain moves as a pass protector that made him successful at Tennessee. The Bears left tackle has asked for tips on implementing them into his own game. It is another sign that this could be a mutually beneficial partnership. If Jones and Wright play up to their potential, this could be the best tackle tandem Chicago has seen since Jimbo Covert and Keith Van Horne.