On April 7, the Minnesota Vikings parted ways with veteran cornerback Nahshon Wright, and just one day later, the Chicago Bears announced they had signed him to a one-year contract.
This move reunites Wright with Al Harris, the Bears’ new defensive backs coach, who previously worked with him in Dallas. With Wright already familiar with Harris’ coaching style, he’ll likely compete for a role on special teams and provide depth in the secondary.
At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Wright is an imposing figure for a cornerback, as noted by Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. At 26, Wright still has plenty of potential to develop, and Harris clearly valued their previous work together enough to bring him on board.
Let’s take a deeper look at the Bears’ latest addition and his NFL journey.
Wright’s NFL Journey
Wright, a former Oregon State standout, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (99th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. Over three seasons with the Cowboys, he played in 33 games, starting three. In his time in Dallas, Wright totaled 37 tackles, including 27 solo stops, one tackle for loss, five passes defensed, and one interception.
In August 2024, Wright was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. However, his tenure with the Vikings was brief, as he appeared in just one game in 2024, contributing 15 snaps on special teams, while spending most of the season on the practice squad.
Now, Wright has a fresh start with a coach he knows well.
Can Wright Find His Place with the Bears?
Wright’s physical attributes, particularly his impressive height, give him an intriguing potential role. His size could make him a strong matchup against taller receivers, particularly in red-zone situations or when facing larger pass catchers.
While his on-field production has been modest, the Bears and Coach Harris could use Wright in specific defensive packages that take advantage of his length and ability to disrupt passing lanes.
Nahshon Wright
Additionally, Wright’s experience on special teams could be crucial. Special teams play often plays a key role in roster decisions, and Wright’s ability to contribute in this area could increase his chances of making the team. His previous experience suggests he may be utilized in this capacity.
Wright’s future with the Bears will largely depend on his performance in training camp and preseason games. If he can showcase his physical traits and work well with Coach Harris to refine his skills and defensive knowledge, Wright could earn a role on the roster.
However, Wright will face stiff competition. Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson are expected to be the starting cornerbacks, with Kyler Gordon in the slot and Terell Smith providing depth. The Bears also recently signed defensive backs Shaun Wade and Nick McCloud to one-year contracts, so Wright will likely compete with them for a roster spot. If he doesn’t make the team, he could still be a strong candidate for the practice squad.
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