Bears Free Agent Profile: Nahshon Wright’s breakout season skyrocketed his market and sets up for a difficult conversation
Nahshon Wright exceeded everyone’s expectations last season and now will have more of a demand in 2026.
The NFL free agency window is getting closer and closer and the Chicago Bears are set to be an exciting team to watch when the madness begins. Before it gets to that point, the Bears have to first weigh the pros and cons of re-signing the 22 players set to become unrestricted free agents.
Not every player will be able to return and some are expected to be out of the Bears’ price range entirely. After already breaking down two pending free agent defensive backs, the Bears have another that will set up to be a difficult conversation after the breakout performance he had this past season.
CB Nahshon Wright
Position: Outside CB
Age for 2026 season: 27
Incoming NFL year: 6
Previous AAV: $1.1 million
2026 Snap %: 97%
Few could have predicted the impact Nahshon Wright would have for this team when the Bears signed him to a one-year $1.1 million deal last offseason. Wright was signed thanks to a strong recommendation from defensive passing game coordinator and DBs coach Al Harris, who worked with Wright during his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. After playing out his rookie deal, Wright signed with the Minnesota Vikings and played just one game the entire season.
With Harris’ strong push, the Bears took a chance on Wright with the idea that he could add some solid depth to the cornerback position. However, with Jaylon Johnson absent for the entirety of training camp, Wright took over a starting role after quickly picking the scheme back up.
Wright went on to start 18 total games, including playoffs, for Chicago. He was a standout against the run that included his clutch strip-sack against the Philadelphia Eagles on an attempted tush-push. In coverage, Wright was volatile after leading all cornerbacks with five interceptions but allowing the second-most touchdowns (8) at his position. The splash plays were still enough to earn a spot as a replacement in the Pro Bowl.
Contract History and Projection
Playing on a $1.1 million deal and turning it into a Pro Bowl season, Wright was easily the best value player in the entire league last season. Unfortunately, value changes and now Wright has generated a much better market for himself. To get an idea of his new market projection, let’s look at some similar outside cornerback comparisons that were signed last offseason.
- D.J. Reed: three-year, $48 million deal
- Paulson Adebo: three-year, $54 million deal
- Carlton Davis: three-year, $54 million
- Brandon Stephens: three-year, $36 million
The going rate for a top outside cornerback on the market last offseason based on these four deals would be between $12-18 million per year. And it’s worth noting that none of those four players were ever named to the Pro Bowl, something that does give Wright a leg up in negotiations.
Frankly, I’m shocked to see that being the market right now for players in this caliber of play. Good for Wright, he’s set up to receive the bag this offseason.
Prediction
Chicago would be smart to let Wright hit the market and see what his true value actually is. If it’s in fact in that higher range of $16-18 million, there’s no way the Bears will be able to afford to bring him back and Wright shouldn’t be interested in taking a discount to return, even if he’s expressed that desire to continue playing under Harris.
The Bears already have over $30 million per year tied down to the position between Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Not to mention having younger, and cheaper, options on the outside already on the roster in Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, and Zah Frazier. It’s an unfortunate reality, but one that allows Wright to cash in big with another team with a stronger opportunity to have a defined role.
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