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Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright.
The Chicago Bears got a Pro Bowl-level contribution from cornerback Nahshon Wright on a $1.1 million contract in 2025, but the bill on the breakout star has come due, and it’s unclear if the team is willing to pay what it will take to bring him back next year.
For Wright’s part, he has been consistent in his desire to return to the NFC North Division champions, though he isn’t interested in playing on a discount after having a monster campaign in a contract year.
The 27-year-old CB spoke about it again with Sirius XM radio over the weekend.
“Obviously you want to be taken care of financially, but there’s the part where you still want to be able to compete on a high level,” Wright said. “I like to play in more of an aggressive style of football. I haven’t done any deep dives into what teams kinda play similar to what we did in Chicago, but obviously I had a great season in Chicago due to the way we played.”
“I’d love to be back in Chicago, but I don’t necessarily know exactly what’s gonna happen,” Wright continued.
His comments to Adam Jahns of CHGO in early February were less detailed, but essentially expressed the same sentiment.
“I definitely would love to be back in Chicago, but who knows,” Wright said February 2. “We’ll see.”
Nahshon Wright’s Success Last Season Has Perhaps Priced Bears Out of New Deal
Chicago Bears Cornerback Nahshon Wright
GettyChicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright.
Wright, 27, officially enters free agency on March 11 if he doesn’t extend in Chicago before then. If he hits the market, the five-year NFL veteran will take 80 tackles, including three tackles for loss, 11 passes defensed, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown with him.
According to Spotrac, Wright should land a deal in the neighborhood of three years and $50 million. If that proves to be his actual market, there is a reasonable chance Wright is playing elsewhere come Week 1 in September.
The Bears need help all across the defensive front. And while the team should be able to select draft a high-quality defensive tackle with the No. 25 overall pick in the first round of April’s draft, Chicago is still going to need to spend significantly to improve a poor pass rush that accounted for just 35 total sacks last season and was among the worst units in the league with regards to pass rush win rate and quick pressures.
Jaylon Johnson’s Return to Health Bodes Ill for Nahshon Wright’s Chances to Remain With Bears Longterm
Jaylon Johnson
GettyCornerback Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears.
Another factor that could work against Wright’s return to the Bears is the health of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Johnson played just seven games during the regular season due to a groin injury, which he initially suffered while training in the summer and then re-aggravated in a Week 2 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Wright stepped in and had the campaign of his life. Thus, Johnson’s injury may have indirectly made Wright upwards of $50 million this offseason. However, Johnson’s return to health may now indirectly dictate that Wright play in a new uniform come next season.