Star power is what drives success in professional sports. The last two times the Chicago Bears were truly competitive football teams, they had plenty of it. We all remember the 1980s teams with a bevy of future Hall of Famers like Walter Payton, Dan Hampton, Jimbo Covert, Mike Singletary, and Richard Dent. Then, in the 2000s, the team featured Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester, Charles Tillman, Lance Briggs, and Olin Kreutz. For years, GM Ryan Poles has tried to build a strong roster. While he'd found some good talent, nobody had stepped up to that star level.
Until now.
There were signs, even dating back to last year, that the Bears had something special brewing with Darnell Wright. He played really well down the stretch. However, the mayhem around him on offense made it difficult to single out. This year, there are no further doubts. Wright has emerged as one of the best offensive tackles in the league. He ranks first with only four pressures allowed this season among tackles who have played at least 50% of their team's offensive snaps. If that weren't enough, he also ranks fourth among all tackles in run-blocking.
He is a complete player and a dominant one.
The Chicago Bears are finally seeing some of their planted seeds sprout.
Wright is the first notable draft pick to emerge as a legitimate stud. Gervon Dexter might not be far behind. He has 2.5 sacks in five games, putting him on pace for another career high of eight this season. That is excellent for a defensive tackle. Then you have Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, both steadily ascending in their second year. Bit by bit, you're starting to see a core of young talent emerging. The unusual aspect for the Chicago Bears is that it appears to be centered on offense, which goes against the franchise's tradition. Normally, it's been focused on the defensive side.
If things continue to progress as they have, this team will be something to reckon with in the near future. Luther Burden already looks like a strong pick this year. Two or three more quality additions next offseason, and the Bears will enter the NFC contention picture. It seems fitting that Wright, their first offensive line selection in the 1st round in a decade, will lead the way.
