Ben Johnson has an eye for talent, especially at right tackle, and he believes Darnell Wright fits the bill. After all, Johnson spent four years with Penei Sewell in Detroit, and let's just say, Sewell isn't exactly flying under the radar in the NFL.
Since his first-round pick in 2021, Sewell has been nothing short of an offensive line virtuoso. With only nine sacks allowed over those snaps and a single-game absence due to health in his rookie year, the numbers don't lie.
He's a beast on the right side.
Now, Johnson, the Bears' head coach, sees echoes of Sewell in Darnell Wright. When speaking with Fox32's Cassie Carlson at the NFL Scouting Combine, he made the comparison clear, and he’s giddy about the prospect of similar dominance on the Bears' line.
"I see Darnell Wright very much in the same mold as a Penei Sewell," Johnson explained. This is a head coach who's eager to unleash the same kind of strategic offensive plays designed to highlight Wright’s strength in those crucial one-on-one matchups.
Johnson’s eyes are peeled for the kind of matchups where the right tackle neutralizes the threat of an opponent’s fiercest defenders.
Indeed, Wright and Sewell share more than just a hefty football pedigree; their physical presence is practically a mirror: Wright at 6-foot-6, 333 pounds, and Sewell at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds. At Halas Hall on Tuesday, Wright engaged with the media, humbly accepting the flattering comparison.
"It's an honor to be thought of so highly. He’s a really good player, and I take inspiration from his game," Wright shared.
For the Bears' offensive machine to fire on all cylinders, Caleb Williams will need Wright to do more than just deliver on comparisons. It’s about stepping up his game to truly mirror the dominance Sewell displays on the field.
Already, Wright is stepping into his role with gusto. "Checking out the best players in the game is key," Wright stated. He acknowledges Sewell’s imposing presence in the same conference and respects what he sees on tape, striving to incorporate those elements into his style while recognizing, of course, that each player has signature strengths that can be tough to duplicate.
While Wright is deep into his studies, let's not forget that under Johnson’s offensive guidance, there's potential for magic. Despite allowing 13 sacks over two seasons, Wright showed significant progress in 2024, reducing quarterback pressures from 51 down to 30. Improvement is evident, and promise abounds.
Being the No. 10 overall pick in 2023, from the University of Tennessee, isn't just about pedigree; it's about evolving and mastering new systems and synchronizing efforts with linemates like Jonah Jackson, who knows Johnson's offensive scheme like the back of his hand.
Crucial to his evolution is offensive line coach Dan Roushar. Wright values Roushar's mentorship, saying, "Our conversations are motivating. He inspires me not to fear failure but to reach for higher."
Wright's journey is one where he can't shy away from challenges or the potential for greatness. Johnson expects nothing less than a leap from the 23-year-old ravager of defenses. If Wright rises, the Bears' offense might just soar with him this coming season.
