Nahshon Wright’s Breakout Season Puts Bears in a Contract Conundrum
Nahshon Wright wasn’t supposed to be the guy in Chicago’s secondary this season-but that’s exactly what he became. After a breakout year that saw him emerge as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks, Wright now heads into the 2026 offseason as one of the Bears’ most valuable (and expensive) free agents. And with accolades piling up and his market value soaring, the front office is facing a tough call: pay up or potentially watch a rising star walk.
Let’s break down what’s at stake here.
From Depth Piece to Defensive Star
Wright’s 2025 season was nothing short of a revelation. In 17 games, he filled up the stat sheet with 80 tackles, 11 pass breakups, five interceptions, three tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, a quarterback hit, and a pick-six. That’s not just solid production-that’s elite-level impact from the cornerback position.
He didn’t just show up on the stat sheet either. Wright’s instincts, closing speed, and physicality on the outside gave the Bears a reliable presence in coverage, and his knack for creating turnovers added an edge to a defense that needed more playmakers. His performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl Games, stepping in for Eagles rookie standout Quinyon Mitchell.
Now, with his stock at an all-time high, Wright is positioned for a major payday. The question is whether that payday will come from the Bears-or someone else.
The Financial Fork in the Road
Chicago has two options on the table: lock Wright in with a multi-year deal or apply the franchise tag. Neither path is cheap, but both come with different implications for the team’s long-term cap strategy.
If the Bears opt for a long-term contract, Wright is projected to command around $16.6 million per year, with a potential deal in the range of $50 million over three or four seasons. That would give him stability and give the Bears a chance to build around a core piece of their secondary-assuming they can make the numbers work.
On the other hand, the franchise tag for cornerbacks in 2026 is expected to come in at $21.4 million. That’s a hefty one-year price tag for a team that has other priorities on the books.
And that’s where things get complicated.
The Bigger Picture: Cap Space and Roster Priorities
The Bears aren’t just negotiating with Wright-they’re managing a broader roster puzzle. Veteran safety Kevin Byard and rising star Jaquan Brisker are also key pieces in the secondary, and keeping that group intact will require some financial finesse.
Then there’s the pass rush. Chicago has made it clear they want to land a difference-maker off the edge, and those guys don’t come cheap. If the Bears go big on a pass rusher, that could eat into the budget needed to retain Wright-or vice versa.
General manager Ryan Poles is staring down a critical offseason. Wright has proven he can be a cornerstone player, but the Bears are also trying to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability. If they're serious about contending for a Super Bowl in 2026, every dollar counts.
What’s Next?
From a pure value standpoint, a multi-year deal makes more sense than the franchise tag. It spreads out the cap hit and gives the team some flexibility. But even that route could stretch the Bears’ financial limits, especially if they want to stay aggressive in free agency.
Wright’s breakout season couldn’t have come at a better time-for him. For the Bears, it’s a blessing and a challenge.
They’ve developed a star. Now they have to decide if they can afford to keep him.