When Pro Bowl cornerback Nahshon Wright signed with the Chicago Bears in 2025, it didn’t generate much buzz. Many considered the one-year, $1.1 million deal a low-risk move.
Wright joined Chicago after starting his career with the Dallas Cowboys, which drafted him in 2021. After limited opportunities in Dallas, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Wright played just one game for Minnesota that season.
Over the course of the 2025 season, Wright quickly became one of the Bears’ most important players. As the team’s cornerback, he played a defensive position responsible for stopping opposing pass attempts. This role requires speed, awareness and precise timing. Wright excelled in all three.
Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright (26) during NFC practice.
One of his most memorable moments came in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Wright intercepted a pass and ran it back 74 yards for a touchdown. He turned this potential Vikings score into a Chicago touchdown.
In November, he forced or recovered turnovers in five straight games, a rare accomplishment in today’s NFL. His performance earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Month. He later earned his first Pro Bowl selection. By season’s end, Wright had become a key defender. He boosted the Bears’ defense with turnovers and big plays.
In his four seasons with Dallas, Wright started only three games and recorded just one interception. With the Bears, however, he played all 17 regular-season games and built a reputation for game-changing plays. He recorded five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. That totaled eight takeaways — the most in the NFL.
Nahshon Wright rumored to depart Chicago Bears for New York Jets in offseason move
Now, the Bears may be facing a major offseason loss. A new prediction suggests Wright would leave the team. Fox Sports projected that Wright could sign with the New York Jets once free agency begins.
Fox said Wright “helped himself in 2025 as much as any player” and turned his short-term contract into a career-defining opportunity. The media outlet has described him as “a ballhawk on one of the NFL’s best takeaway defenses.” That means he excelled at stealing the ball from opponents and creating scoring opportunities.
The Bears may struggle to re-sign Wright because, as Fox Sports reported, “Chicago is over the salary cap right now.” This financial challenge makes it difficult for the team to keep top free agents.
The outlet also highlighted Wright’s potential earnings after emerging as one of Chicago’s top defensive players.
“Wright could end up the high-dollar corner in this not-particularly-deep class, drawing $16 million a year or more,” Fox said.
Free agency often gives bigger contracts to breakout players, and Wright is more valuable than ever. But even though Wright could cost a lot, the Jets might still want to sign him to strengthen their defense. New York has been making significant changes, and adding a player like him fits their plan.
If the prediction holds true, Chicago could see one of their best players leave just after one year. Losing the 27-year-old veteran cornerback would surely hurt the team. His skills have helped the Bears make clutch plays and win games.
Now, all eyes are on whether Chicago keeps Wright or if he joins the Jets next season.
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