Market price shows how the Chicago Bears really felt about their former Pro Bowl defensive back in free agency
Nahshon Wright will be playing for a new team in the AFC after a career year in Chicago.
The Chicago Bears were active at the start of free agency retooling the defensive side of the ball for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, but the activity wasn’t as reflective for the former Bears players that hit the open market.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds signed a solid deal for himself, as expected, with the New York Giants worth $12 million per year. Other than that, only two former Bears signed with a new team on the first day of the legal tampering period in WR Olamide Zaccheaus and DE Dominique Robinson.
The market was slow for three of the Bears’ starting defensive backs in All Pro safety Kevin Byard III, Pro Bowl corner Nahshon Wright, and safety Jaquan Brisker. There was a thought that the Bears could use the market to potentially discuss bring back either one of those players, but that’s not going to be the case with Wright after signing a deal with the New York Jets.
Bears completely turned their back on Nahshon Wright after a breakout season in Chicago
Wright is signing with the Jets on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million. A really strong value for New York adding a player that led all cornerbacks with five interceptions and the entire league in takeaways for that price. It’s not the contract Wright envisioned for himself after a Pro Bowl-caliber season, but still an upgrade over the one-year, $1.1 million deal he played on in Chicago.
The Bears signed Wright last offseason largely due to his relationship with defensive backs coach Al Harris after previously playing for Harris with the Dallas Cowboys. The intention was for Wright to be a depth player until injuries opened the door for Wright to snatch a starting job on the outside going into the regular season. He went on to play 97 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2025.
It was the perfect fit for Wright, who could use his length to matchup against bigger-bodied wide receivers (although speedy receivers gave him some trouble) while being a reliable run defender on the perimeter. Wright recorded five interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 80 tackles but allowed 800 yards and eight touchdowns in coverage in his lone season with the Bears.
He was a true boom-or-bust cornerback and that volatility is likely what turned the Bears away from re-signing him, even if Wright made it clear he wanted to be back and continue playing for Harris.
“I think he’s the reason why I’m standing here today,” Wright explained. “When you have someone who believes in you. He never gave up faith even when I did get traded, he never gave up on me, always checked on me. To be able to go do what we did together in Chicago was everything. Him just believing in me, that staff, (Dennis Allen), Ben (Johnson), (Ryan) Poles, just allowing me to come in. It was definitely cool.”
At that price, the Bears certainly should have considered bringing Wright back for another season. Instead, they turned their back on him and plan to move forward with another option. Chicago currently has Tyrique Stevenson and Zah Frazier as candidates to take over the starting role on the outside and the team will likely look to make another addition either in free agency or in the draft.
Chicago Bears News
Ben Johnson and the Bears move quick to find their next WR3 by reuniting with a exciting player from his time in Detroit
The Chicago Bears have a new slot receiver and exciting player on special teams.
