The expectation was always that the Chicago Bears would let some players walk in free agency this offseason as they aimed to retool and improve for the 2026 season. But the news around Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright is still striking.
Wright spent the 2025 season with the Bears after splitting his career up until that point with the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.
Now, Wright moves on to his fourth team since entering the NFL.
Bears Take Significant Gamble With Nahshon Wright in Free Agency
Bears Lose Nahshon Wright to Jets on Noteworthy Deal
Wright’s 2025 season with the Bears was truly a breakout, with the former 99th overall pick of the 2021 draft vying for the league lead in interceptions, only losing it to teammate Kevin Byard, another free agent this offseason.
Wright did not have to wait long, signing with the New York Jets on Day 2 of the legal tampering period in free agency.
But it is what it took to lure Wright away from Chicago that is most intriguing.
“BREAKING: The #Jets are signing former #Bears Pro Bowl CB Nahshon Wright to a 1-year deal worth up $5.5M per sources,” Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported in a post on X on March 10. “Wright had a massive season last year with 5 INTs, 11 PBUs, 2 FF, 3 FR and 80 tackles.”
Wright was excited, posting “JETS [exclamation points emoji] WHATS GOOD [airplane emoji]” on X while quoting Schultz’s report.
It is an undeniable bargain for a unique player like the 6-foot-4 corner is.
Nahshon Wright Falls Short of Projections
Spotrac projected Wright for a three-year, $50 million contract. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected a three-year, $40 million pact for Wright in free agency, ranking him the 46th-best free agent overall and the fourth-best among CBs.
“Wright is an extremely tall corner at over 6-4. His five interceptions were tied for second-most in the league last season. Wright excels from an off alignment. He is patient, has good eyes and uses his big frame to slow receivers’ momentum. He turns to find the ball down the field and has receiver-like ball skills in 50-50 situations,” Popper wrote in February.
“Wright is not a sudden athlete and does not have the burst to stop, plant and accelerate consistently against sharp route runners. He can lag behind on in-breaking routes and give up separation on those reps. Despite his size, Wright is not as good from press alignments, where his change-of-direction skills can get exposed. He is solid in run support and can shed pullers and set an edge.”
The Bears were apparently not alone in not fully buying into Wright’s 2025 campaign.
Bears Gambling on Backend
Wright’s exit sets up a cold reality check for the Bears. Their secondary lacked speed last season, but saw the veteran step up amid injuries to players who were supposed to be on the field ahead of him.
Specifically, fellow Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson battled injuries before and during the season, while nickelback Kyler Gordon was never an option to replace him amid his own ailments.
Wright played over former starter Tyrique Stevenson when the Bears had to decide.
The Bears also went the entire 2025 season without depth options Terell Smith or fifth-round draft pick Zah Frazier. They will need at least one of those players to step up in 2026. That is, if they do not add more help at the position.
Bears CB Room a Question Mark
Wright was one of 12 Bears players to start at least 16 games this past season. No other Bears corner started more than four contests.
Gordon, Johnson, Smith, and Stevenson are all still under contract for 2026.
Special teams ace and backup corner Josh Blackwell is also still secured, as are reserves Dallis Flowers and Dontae Manning. The Bears signed converted CB Coby Bryant. He figures to at least compete to start at safety. They also added versatile but undersized veteran Cam Lewis in free agency. He is a reserve, who can play all over the secondary.
The true cost of letting Wright walk away in free agency is a gamble against his breakout season. It also banks on defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Al Harris.