LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Rookie tackle Darnell Wright blew away the Bears as he arrived last week for his first NFL training camp. He was in excellent shape and then made quite the impression with his conditioning test.
“He actually crushed the conditioning test,” general manager Ryan Poles said. “Like, didn’t break a sweat.”
Wright realized why he proved to be in such shape as he reported for training camp. He had spent his offseason training for the wide receivers’ and tight ends’ conditioning plan, which is adjusted differently from what Wright was required to do as an offensive lineman.
“I was working out pretty hard,” Wright said. “It was just like, ‘Oh, I thought it was different.’”
Wright lost 16 pounds as part of his overly dedicated work this offseason. He also hired a personal chef, which allowed him to focus more on a strict diet.
The Bears came away proud of a rookie who has proven to be quite committed to being his best – even when away from the team in his first professional offseason.
“I do want to give that kid credit,” Poles said. “This offseason, he busted his butt. He lost weight. He lost body fat.
“He’s focused. He cares. He wants to be really good.”
The No. 10 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Wright stepped in as the starter at right tackle for the first practice of the offseason program. The Bears stood confident that he could be a Day 1 starter and didn’t waste time allowing him to become acclimated to his role.
Wright filled a key void for the Bears on the offensive line, a unit that needed significant improvements this offseason. He was the final key addition in an offseason that saw this entire offense upgraded considerably from last season.
“It's just important, and he's done a great job of this, really staying focused and working his butt off to get better at everything,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. “I just want to make sure we all stay on him, and we all stay working together to make sure he continues to stay focused, and he gets better every day. And if he does, then that's going to help our football team.”
The Bears began their training camp this week with a gradual ramp-up for the entire team, which was implemented to preserve players' health for the long term and allow a focus on installation and technique.
The Bears will put on their full pads Tuesday and begin training camp in earnest. It’s a day that Wright has marked down on his calendar.
Wright is comfortable with the Bears thanks to the work he put forth this offseason.
“Early on when I first got through OTAs, it was definitely a big jump that I needed to make,” Wright said. “Through the offseason, I just trained, and I think during this training camp I’ll make another jump, then preseason. It just builds on top of it.
“You’re never as good as you think you are, you’re never as bad. That’s just how I’m approaching it.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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