Nahshon Wright is in his fifth NFL season, on his third team, and in his first season with the Chicago Bears, and he just wants to prove that “I can play with the best in this league.”
That is not a sentiment based solely on his encouraging spring and summer.
Wright spoke with Clocker Sports about that, Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, another former teammate in Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, and what he hopes to prove this season.
Nahshon Wright Gets Honest About Justin Jefferson, More Before Bears-Vikings
Nahshon Wright Looking to Prove Worth With Bears, Not Facing Vikings
“I’ve always felt that way,” Wright told Clocker Sports before practice on Tuesday. “I don’t think you play this game not to feel that way. So, I feel – that’s just how I feel, just go out there and make plays.”
Wright earned a spot as the fill-in starting cornerback during the offseason program and training camp in Jaylon Johnson’s absence.
As his next challenge, Wright will open the season with the Bears against his former team, the Minnesota Vikings, on “Monday Night Football.”
For Wright, though, that he once played for his upcoming opponent is of no concern.
“I don’t really look too much into it,” Wright said. “I think at the end of the day, it’s a business. Teams ultimately do what they feel is best for them. It’d be good to see some familiar faces. But in terms of motivation, I think I have all the motivation I need to go out there and prove myself right. So, I feel like that’s really it for me.”
Nahshon Wright Praises Vikings’ Brian Flores, Justin Jefferson
The Vikings acquired Wright in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys in August 2024, and he bounced between the practice squad and active roster for the regular season. However, he only appeared in one game.
He has limited, but still valuable, experience under Flores.
“He’s a good coach,” Wright said. “Very detail-oriented. Obviously, you guys see the tape a lot of exotic looks. He’s a good coach, for sure.”
Wright’s test, if Johnson is on a reps limit, or perhaps even does not play, will be against Jefferson, the Vikings’ WR1. Jefferson is a four-time Pro Bowler, but he was held relatively in check in two games against the Bears in 2024 with nine receptions for 100 yards and 1 touchdown.
That was under a different coaching staff, though. Wright knows Jefferson is a challenge.
“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Wright said. “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.”
If Johnson plays, Wright’s exposure to Jefferson on Monday night could be extremely limited, if it happens at all. That may not be the worst thing after the Kansas City Chiefs attacked Wright in man coverage in the Bears’ preseason finale.
Still, Wright has shown confidence and resilience. That is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Nahshon Wright Reacts to Micah Parsons Trade
Having been traded himself, albeit not at his request, Wright went through a similar situation as his former Cowboys teammate, Parsons. The Cowboys, who drafted Wright in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the No. 99 overall pick, traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
Wright said that he has not spoken to Parsons, the No. 12 pick in that same draft class, since the trade.
“I talked to him a little bit before the trade, just telling him I hoped everything worked out the way he wanted to,” Wright told Clocker Sports. “I don’t know if that’s the case. If it were – Obviously, I feel like he wanted to be in Dallas. But now he’s in Green Bay, I think he got ultimately what he wanted in terms of his contract. So, I’m just happy for him in general.”
Parsons signed a four-year, $186 million extension with the Packers after the trade, setting him up to terrorize Bears QB Caleb Williams for the foreseeable future.
Wright and the Bears will first see Parsons’ Packers in Green Bay in Week 14.