Bears rookie offensive tackle Darnell Wright aced his conditioning test at training camp earlier this week.
In normal circumstances, it’s bigger news if a projected starter fails his conditioning test. This one’s a bit different though.
Wright “crushed” the test according to general manager Ryan Poles. Why? Because he trained for the wide receivers’ version of the test by mistake, instead of the one for offensive linemen.
“I was looking at the wide receivers’ portion of the workout, so I was doing theirs,” Wright said. “So then I came back and obviously we have different, so…”
Chicago players were given expectations of what was required for their conditioning tests so that they could adequately prepare.
Wright lost 16 pounds as he got himself into shape for the wide receivers’ version of the workout, and he feels like he benefited from his mistake.
“More distance and lower time,” Wright said when asked about the differences between the tests. “It definitely feels better. It’s a little bit of an adjustment as far as training power still, but I think I’m more powerful because I didn’t lose any muscle mass. You definitely feel a step quicker.”
There’s no question that Wright has the work ethic worthy of the No. 10 pick in the draft, and the Bears hope his play on the field this fall backs up the work he’s putting in to prepare.
