There is a level of expectations a player is expected to meet when they are selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, let alone in the top 10 selections. Once you move beyond that rookie season "grace period" that most prospects receive, the bar is set. It is up to the player to meet the challenge or face the consequences.
For one starter at a key position on the offensive side of the ball, it is time to show his worth to the franchise, and his position coach let him know it while speaking with the media on Wednesday.
According to Kaitlin Sharkey of WGN 9, offensive line coach Dan Roushar is tired of the inconsistencies in 2023 first-round pick Darnell Wright's game as he enters his third season in the Windy City.
Bears OL coach Dan Roushar on RT Darnell Wright:
— Kaitlin Sharkey (@KRoseSharkey) August 13, 2025
”A little bit too inconsistent. There’s moments when we look at it, when he loses focus or fatigue starts to set in, we see a decline in play, but when he’s on point, I’ve seen Darnell do some things that you get excited about.… pic.twitter.com/ijCUJ1rMTU
Chicago Bears OL Coach Publicly Criticizes Starting RT Darnell Wright
”A little bit too inconsistent," Roushar said of Wright. "There’s moments when we look at it, when he loses focus or fatigue starts to set in, we see a decline in play, but when he’s on point, I’ve seen Darnell do some things that you get excited about. He’s just not been able to stack it play after play after play, which isn’t uncommon for a young player. There are moments where I’ve seen the growth...is it as fast as I want it or he wants it to be? No. My job is to inspire and get him there and understand exactly what we’re doing and challenge him when it’s not right."
Roushar is completely justified in this criticism of Wright. This is part of the job when you are underperforming in the eyes of the coaching staff two years after being selected with the No. 10 overall pick in Wright's respective draft. When your primary job responsibility is protecting the franchise quarterback, there is no room for inconsistencies, lack of focus, or a decline in play.
With all of that being said, the message from Roushar wasn't all negative. Part of his frustration with Wright appears to stem from the fact that when he's locked in and motivated, he is doing all of the things that excited the front office and coaching staff about him following his career at the University of Tennessee. The issue lies in the fact that those moments are just that, moments, rather than the norm.
This past season, Wright had an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 79.3, which ranked him 16th among 140 eligible offensive tackles. His impact in the rushing game (82.2 grade, ranked seventh out of 140 OT) was well ahead of his contributions in the pass game (75.4 grade, ranked 35th out of 140 OT).
That is certainly not a bad spot to be in after just two years in the NFL. Chicago sees the potential for Wright to be even better, though, and Roushar is figuring out the best way to motivate him to reach that level.
Bears fans will just have to wait and see how quickly Wright can get with the program moving forward.