As the New York Giants head into a pivotal offseason, all eyes are on how general manager Joe Schoen and new head coach John Harbaugh plan to reshape a secondary that struggled to generate turnovers and consistency in 2025. One name quietly gaining traction in league circles? Nahshon Wright - a 6’4” cornerback coming off a breakout year with the Chicago Bears and fresh off a Pro Bowl nod.
Wright isn’t just a big body with upside - he’s a ball-hawk who may be tailor-made for the kind of aggressive, press-heavy scheme defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is bringing to New York.
From Special Teams to Turnover Machine
Wright’s rise in 2025 was nothing short of remarkable. After bouncing around the league - from special teams duty in Dallas to a practice squad stint in Minnesota - he signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Bears. And prove it he did.
Wright posted 5 interceptions (tied for the most among cornerbacks), 11 pass deflections, and a league-leading 8 total takeaways when you factor in his three fumble recoveries. Not bad for a guy who, just a year earlier, didn’t play a single snap in the regular season.
He set the tone early with a 74-yard pick-six in Week 1 against the Vikings and never looked back. Opposing quarterbacks targeted him 83 times - and managed just a 94.7 passer rating. That kind of production is exactly what the Giants lacked in 2025, when their secondary struggled to flip the field or create momentum-shifting plays.
A Prototype for the Giants’ New Defensive Identity
Wright’s physical traits jump off the page. At 6’4” with 4.49 speed, he fits the mold of what Harbaugh leaned on in Baltimore - long, physical corners who can disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage and win one-on-one matchups against elite receivers. That’s precisely what Wilson wants to build in New York.
In a division that features vertical threats like CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown, having a corner with Wright’s wingspan and physicality could be a game-changer. He’s not perfect - his Week 17 showing against the 49ers raised some concerns about consistency - but his overall body of work tells a more complete story.
Wright earned a 65.1 PFF grade in 2025, ranking 48th out of 114 qualified cornerbacks. That’s solid starting-level production, and when paired with his physical tools and takeaway instincts, he becomes a high-upside fit in a scheme that’s designed to maximize his strengths.
The Decision: Nahshon Wright or Cor’Dale Flott?
Of course, bringing in Wright won’t be cheap. After his breakout season, his market value has soared.
Spotrac projects his next deal at around three years, $50 million - roughly $16.7 million per year. That’s similar to the kind of payday that Cor’Dale Flott, the Giants’ own breakout corner, could command in free agency.
Flott has the advantage of continuity - he knows the building, the locker room, and the culture. But when it comes to scheme fit, Wright might have the edge. Flott’s game is built more on quickness and agility, while Wright brings the size and press-man skills that Harbaugh and Wilson appear to be prioritizing.
This decision isn’t just about talent - it’s about identity. Do the Giants double down on a familiar face in Flott, or do they pivot to an external option who might better fit the new defensive blueprint?
A Calculated Investment
At 27 years old and coming off a full 17-game season, Wright offers a rare combination of youth, durability, and recent production. In a free-agent market that will feature plenty of aging veterans and question marks, Wright stands out as a relatively safe bet - assuming the price is right.
The Giants are working with a tight cap, but if Schoen can get creative with the structure of a potential deal, Wright could be the kind of signing that accelerates the transition to a more physical, turnover-driven defense.
Bottom line: If the Giants want to make a statement about who they’re becoming under Harbaugh and Wilson, Nahshon Wright might be the kind of cornerback who helps define that next chapter.