Darnell Wright Reportedly Arrived At Training Camp With A Message

The Chicago Bears drew mixed reactions when they drafted Darnell Wright 10th overall in April. While they were applauded for finally giving Justin Fields some protection, many felt the Tennessee right tackle was a risk. There were questions of work ethic during his time there, and the fact he was 330 lbs always worries modern teams. It almost always means the guy struggles to move in space. Never mind the considerable evidence suggesting Wright moves remarkably well for his size.

GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus weren't concerned. They loved his pure athleticism, and he responded well to their intense workout with him in the days leading up to the draft. Both felt he would have no problem acclimating to their demanding culture. It must've felt satisfying when they saw him show up for training camp on July 25th. Poles revealed at his latest press conference that Wright not only arrived in shape, but he'd actually dropped weight and trimmed his body fat.

The conditioning test, which can often be difficult for bigger guys, was nothing to him.

Darnell Wright has already cleared the first hurdle.

Nothing can make or break an NFL player faster than his conditioning. If you're sucking wind in practice, then the odds are it will be the same in the 4th quarter of games. That is something Eberflus strives to prevent. He's said many times that his team will always be well-conditioned. They must be ready to run during practice. Everything is done with a purpose. There is no special treatment for anybody. Either you work or you don't play. It's nice to see the rookie embracing this mentality right out of the gate.

It feels like the only thing standing between Darnell Wright and immediate success is healthy. Chicago has had a track record of misfortune with 1st round tackles over the past two decades. Marc Colombo, Chris Williams, and Gabe Carimi all suffered career-altering injuries early in their careers and never reached their full potential. Kyle Long and Teven Jenkins have felt that sting as well. Darnell Wright has the capability to be an anchor on this line for a decade. He sounds prepared. Now it's about staying on the field to prove it.