Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright spent the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings following a trade from the team that drafted him, the Dallas Cowboys. Ahead of his third matchup against one of his former teams, Wright spoke candidly about some old teammates.
He also touted his current group over one of their signature traits so far.
Wright’s candor comes ahead of what the Bears hope will be their first win in the NFC North this season amid an 0-2 start.
Nahshon Wright Gets Honest About Jordan Addison Before Bears-Vikings
Bears’ Nahshon Wright Not Overlooking Vikings’ Jordan Addison
Asked about Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison, who is a former first-round draft pick but can be overlooked playing opposite Justin Jefferson, Wright was direct.
“Well, I’m definitely not overlooking him,” Wright told Clocker Sports on Wednesday. “I got to practice against him, and he’s a hell of a route runner. The 40-yard time that he has listed might not be accurate. So, I think he’s a pretty well-rounded receiver. Can get in and out of his breaks, can make you miss from press, and catch practically every ball. So, I’m definitely not overlooking him. He’s a great 1-2 punch, with him and Jus, and even Jalen Nailor.”
The Bears did not face Addison the first time around as he served a three-game suspension stemming from an arrest in July 2024.
He has since tallied 26 receptions for 392 yards and 2 touchdowns on 45 targets.
The Bears have navigated injuries at cornerback since before the season began, hence Wright’s role as a starter. Their 26th-place ranking underscores the kinds of coverage (and pressure) issues they have had this season.
Despite coming in as the hotter team, they can by no means afford to take the Vikings and their wealth of offensive weaponry lightly.
Nahshon Wright Praises Vikings’ Weapons
As for Nailor, Wright pointed to the 2022 sixth-round pick’s nickname, saying, “They call them ‘Speedy.’ So, he’s a guy that can take the top off the coverage, and I think he’s another good receiver. Can run pretty good routes.”
Nailor has 19 receptions for 302 yards and 2 TDs this season. He had one reception for 28 yards in the Week 1 win over the Bears.
He also drew a 14-yard pass interference call on Tyrique Stevenson that set up a score.
Wright was complimentary of Jefferson before the Bears’ and Vikings’ first meeting, telling Clocker Sports in September that Jefferson is “the ultimate competitor. He practices hard, and I think that’s why you see the results you do see on Sundays. That’s really it. He’s a great player.”
The Bears will certainly have their hands full with the Vikings, who enter this contest at 3-5 and are coming off their third loss in the last four games.
The Bears will look to make that four losses in five outings come Sunday evening.
Nahshon Wright Talks Bears Defense’s Short-Term Memory
Playing the cornerback spot, Wright and his brethren must have a short memory, but the same is true about this entire Bears defense. They have played an extreme version of bend-but-don’t-break, often surrendering points only to take the ball away at critical times.
The Bears believe what they do is sustainable, but there is also a key mental aspect of being able to shake off bad plays to make splash ones.
Wright has done that several times this season.
“It’s just knowing that you gotta lineup again. Whether you go make a good play or a bad play, you gotta reset the next play. I think that’s what’s allowing us to go out there and – like in the Giants game. They were driving. And then, boom, fumble. So, just understanding that you just gotta take it one play at a time,” Wright said.
“Each player has an opportunity to go make a big play. So, I think that’s what’s helped us. And just never giving up, trying to play 60-minute football.”