Nahshon Wright’s Breakout Season Has the Cowboys Looking Over Their Shoulder
There’s no sugarcoating it - the Dallas Cowboys have made some bold moves this season, and not all of them are aging well. While the Quinnen Williams trade helped inject some life back into the defense, there’s another personnel decision that’s starting to sting: letting Nahshon Wright walk.
Wright, now making noise in Chicago, has transformed into the kind of cornerback every team wishes they had. The Cowboys sent him to Minnesota in a trade for Andrew Booth before the 2024 season - a swap that flew under the radar at the time, mostly because both players were struggling to find their footing. But now, as we roll into December, it’s clear: the Bears came out of that deal with a gem.
Let’s talk numbers - because they tell a story. Through Week 13, Wright has stacked up 54 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and five interceptions.
That last stat? It’s not just impressive - it’s elite.
According to Pro Football Focus, his five picks lead all cornerbacks this season. That’s not just a resurgence; that’s a leap into Pro Bowl territory.
And it’s not just about stats. Wright has become a true difference-maker in Chicago’s secondary.
He’s playing with confidence, reading routes with precision, and locking down receivers like a seasoned veteran. In a defense that needed a spark, he’s become the flame.
His highlight moment came under the Friday night lights against the Eagles. Facing Philly’s signature “Tush Push” - a play most defenses have simply learned to live with - Wright flipped the script.
Not only did the Bears stuff the sneak, but Wright ripped the ball straight out of Jalen Hurts’ hands before he was ruled down. That’s not just a stop - that’s a tone-setter.
A forced fumble in a critical moment, against one of the league’s toughest offenses.
And here’s the kicker: Wright wasn’t even a fit in Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme in Dallas. That’s part of what led to the trade.
With DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs soaking up most of the reps, Wright never got the chance to fully spread his wings. But in Chicago, under the guidance of former Cowboys defensive backs coach Al Harris, he’s found his rhythm - and then some.
It’s one of those classic NFL stories. Sometimes, a player just needs a fresh start, a new voice, or a different system to unlock their full potential.
Wright is proving that in real time. He’s not just surviving in Chicago - he’s thriving.
Now, would he have become this player had he stayed in Dallas? That’s a question we’ll never get a definitive answer to. But what’s clear is that Wright has grown into a legitimate Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback - and the Cowboys are left wondering what could’ve been.
If the league overlooks him come Pro Bowl voting, it would be a serious miss. Because right now, Nahshon Wright isn’t just having a good season - he’s emerging as one of the NFL’s breakout stars.