Nahshon Wright’s Breakout Season Has the Bears' Secondary Buzzing
Every NFL season has its breakout story - the unexpected spark that changes the complexion of a team. For the 2025 Chicago Bears, that spark has come from an unlikely source: cornerback Nahshon Wright.
Initially stepping in due to injuries to starters Jaylon Johnson and, more recently, Tyrique Stevenson, Wright wasn’t just a stopgap - he’s turned into a game-changer. And now, 12 games into the season, he’s not just filling in - he’s forcing the Bears to rethink their depth chart, and maybe even their future plans in the secondary.
A Turnover Machine With Perfect Timing
Wright’s emergence has been built on one of the most valuable currencies in football: turnovers. He’s been a magnet for the ball, and it’s not just luck - it’s instinct, preparation, and an aggressive mindset that’s clearly been emphasized within the Bears' defensive room. Jaylon Johnson, who knows a thing or two about playing corner at a high level, didn’t hold back when talking about Wright’s rise.
“Just appreciating it,” Johnson said. “Realistically speaking, it was just taken by storm with what he was going to do and how he would contribute to the team.
But I feel like the way he's turned the ball over, the way he has had the ball on his mind has been really impressive. Again, you get what you emphasize.”
That emphasis has paid off. Wright has made a habit of being around the ball, and he’s making plays that shift momentum - not just padding stats.
Highlight Reel Material
One of Wright’s signature moments came in the Bears’ 24-15 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Eagles threatening deep in Chicago territory and lining up for their signature Tush Push - a play that’s become almost automatic for Philly - Wright did the unthinkable: he stripped the ball from Jalen Hurts mid-surge. That turnover flipped the script and helped the Bears regain control of the game.
And that’s been the theme of Wright’s season - timely, impact plays that don’t just look good on the stat sheet, but actually help win football games.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Through 12 games (11 starts), Wright has compiled a stat line that would make any defensive coordinator smile: 54 tackles, 10 pass deflections, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three tackles for loss, one touchdown, and even a quarterback hit. For a player who wasn’t even penciled in as a starter to begin the year, that’s elite production.
He’s been primarily operating as the Bears’ CB2, sliding into roles vacated by Johnson and Stevenson. But his play has been anything but secondary.
A New Contract Dilemma Looming
Wright’s breakout year isn’t just creating problems for opposing quarterbacks - it’s also creating a looming decision for the Bears’ front office. With free agency on the horizon, Wright is positioning himself as one of the more intriguing cornerbacks set to hit the open market.
Do the Bears lock him up with a new deal and commit to him as a long-term piece in their secondary? Or do they risk letting him walk and try to replace that production elsewhere?
That’s a question for another day. For now, Chicago fans are simply enjoying the ride. Wright has gone from backup to ballhawk, and in a season where the Bears have been searching for consistency, his emergence has been one of the brightest spots.
If he keeps this up, the Bears might not just have a short-term solution - they might have found a cornerstone.