Darnell Wright became the first offensive lineman drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1st round since 2013 last April. If anybody wanted an idea of why the Bears’ blocking has been so bad over the past several years, they can point to that fact as one reason. So, a lot of pressure was on the rookie to help fix the chronic issue. On the surface, his debut against the Green Bay Packers was a mixed bag. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing five pressures on the quarterback but gave him strong marks for run blocking. A closer inspection of the tape showed Wright actually played well.
There were a few instances where more experienced rushers, namely Rashan Gary, got the better of him. However, there were also several moments where he was excellent in one-on-one situations. One person who was beyond encouraged by what he saw was Olin Kreutz. The six-time Pro Bowler has never been shy about sharing his opinion of Bears offensive linemen, good or bad. He appeared on Bears REKAP Live to discuss the loss to Green Bay. One big takeaway was how strong Wright looked. The rookie was big, physical, violent, and delivered some impressive blocks against some of Green Bay’s best players.
Kreutz can see the big picture with Darnell Wright.
If he can look like that in his first-ever NFL start, imagine what he could become once he starts gaining experience. Most draft experts said the biggest obstacle for Wright was his technique and fundamentals. He had the physical tools to become a bookend tackle for several years if he got those polished. If you can impress Kreutz, then you’re probably doing something right. He worked hard with Wright’s new teammate, Braxton Jones, during the off-season. The Bears left tackle had some penalty issues on Sunday, but he only allowed one pressure on the quarterback.
Chicago may finally have two capable tackles up front. Darnell Wright has another tough test against the blitz-happy Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend. More valuable learning experience. One thing is clear. The kid learns fast. He proved that last Sunday. It’s becoming easier to see why Ryan Poles and the front office liked him so much. He has the ability to change the fortunes of this front. Now, the question becomes whether they can add some interior blockers of that same caliber.
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