Nahshon Wright’s Free Agency Value: Playmaker or Potential Pitfall?
Nahshon Wright’s 2025 season with the Chicago Bears turned heads - and for good reason. The 6-foot-4 cornerback led the NFL in total turnovers with 10, a disruptive stat line that included five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. That kind of production doesn’t just show up in the box score - it earned him his first Pro Bowl nod and solidified his reputation as one of the league’s most opportunistic defensive backs.
But as the Bears head into the offseason with big decisions looming, Wright’s future in Chicago is anything but certain. He’s set to hit free agency, and while his playmaking ability is undeniable, there are real questions about whether he’s worth the kind of payday that might be coming his way.
Let’s break it down.
The Case for Wright: Turnovers Matter
In a league where turnovers often swing games, Wright’s ability to create chaos in the secondary is a valuable asset. You can’t coach instincts like his - the nose for the ball, the ability to jump routes, and the knack for being in the right place at the right time. Those are game-changing traits.
And in 2025, Wright didn’t just flash those skills - he delivered. Ten takeaways in a single season is elite territory, and it’s the kind of stat that gets general managers and defensive coordinators leaning forward in their chairs during free agency meetings.
The Concerns: Coverage Consistency
But here’s where things get tricky. While Wright made splash plays, he also gave up his fair share of big ones.
He was targeted 98 times last season and allowed a completion rate of 61.2%, surrendering 813 yards and six touchdowns in coverage. That’s not exactly lockdown corner material.
Opposing quarterbacks didn’t shy away from testing him - and more often than not, they found success. Wright’s ball production was high, but so was the volume of plays allowed. That kind of boom-or-bust profile can be a tough sell for teams looking for reliability on the back end.
The Price Tag Dilemma
Wright is expected to command north of $10 million per year on the open market, and some projections even float the $15 million range. That’s top-tier cornerback money - the kind reserved for shutdown defenders who can erase half the field. And while Wright’s turnover numbers suggest impact, the underlying coverage metrics raise red flags about whether he’s ready to anchor a secondary at that price point.
There’s also the question of fit. Wright has the size and athleticism to thrive in a press-man system, but he’ll need more consistency in technique and awareness to justify a major investment. With the right coaching, there’s room to grow - but not every team has the time or patience to wait for that development.
What This Means for the Bears
For Chicago, it’s a classic case of weighing production versus projection. The Bears are in win-now mode, with eyes on building a championship-caliber roster.
They’ve got other priorities this offseason - including potentially re-signing veteran safety Kevin Byard or pursuing a high-impact edge rusher like Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby. Those moves don’t come cheap.
If Wright’s asking price climbs too high, it may make more sense for the Bears to allocate those resources elsewhere and look for a more cost-effective replacement at cornerback - whether through the draft or a value free agent.
Final Word
There’s no doubt Nahshon Wright brings value to a defense. He’s a playmaker with rare length and a proven ability to generate turnovers.
But in free agency, it’s not just about what you’ve done - it’s about what you can sustain. Teams will have to decide whether Wright’s breakout 2025 season was a sign of things to come or a statistical spike that’s unlikely to repeat.
He’ll make a secondary better - but at what cost? That’s the question front offices across the league will be asking as Wright hits the open market.