Azareye’h Thomas sees Nahshon Wright as more than just another offseason addition. In Thomas’ eyes, the 6-foot-4 corner can change the way the Jets’ secondary looks this season.
That’s a notable endorsement, especially for a unit the Jets had to rework after making NFL history by going a full season without an interception. New York spent the offseason adding pieces to the back end, and Wright was one of the biggest ones.
Wright arrives in New York with a reputation for making plays on the ball. Last season, he led cornerbacks with five interceptions and also had a Pro Bowl appearance. He added six pass breakups, giving the Jets a defender who can create turnovers and flash in big moments.
Thomas spoke about Wright on the Jets’ Official Podcast with Eric Allen and former Jets WR Quincy Enunwa, and he was impressed by what Wright brings athletically.
“It’s great when you have a guy in your room who can move like that,” Thomas said of Wright. “Because you know teams are going to have trouble getting open, and we’ve got guys that are going to get up there and challenge you.”
Of course, Wright’s game comes with some volatility. He was strong when the ball was in the air, but coverage was another story. He gave up 725 yards and seven touchdowns on throws his way, both of which ranked fifth-highest among cornerbacks.
That’s the gamble the Jets accepted. Wright is a boom-or-bust player, but New York is betting the upside is worth it on a deal that included just one year and $3.5 million guaranteed.
Thomas is trying to keep building his own case, too. Entering his second NFL season, he played in 12 games as a rookie and started five down the stretch. He finished with 22 combo tackles, including 13 solo stops, and seven pass deflections.
He also looked the part. Fans have plenty of reason to be interested in what comes next for Thomas after his first real offseason in the NFL.
And he won’t be competing alone. The Jets should have a crowded battle near the top of the cornerback depth chart, with Wright, Thomas, Brandon Stephens, and D’Angelo Ponds all in the mix. That gives Gang Green a CB room that should be plenty competitive this season.
In Other News...
Jets Fans Are About To Hate The Latest Robert Saleh Hype
Robert Saleh is still getting the sort of national-coach treatment that tends to make Jets fans roll their eyes. Even after a 20-36 run in New York, he remains a popular name in league circles, and Tennessees decision to bring him in has only added to the sense that some evaluators still see him as a defensive mind worth betting on. The Titans also give him a familiar setup, with John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson II back in the mix, which only strengthens the idea that this is a staff and roster combination built around his style.
The hype has gone a step further with some analysts already floating Tennessee as a possible playoff team, a label that will sound especially familiar to anyone who watched the Jets try to live up to similar optimism. For New York fans, the frustrating part is not just that Saleh is getting another chance, but that the conversation around him has shifted so quickly from what went wrong here to what he might do next. If the Titans do take a step forward, it will only sharpen the debate over how much of Salehs reputation was ever tied to the Jets in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Fans May Not Like Who David Bailey Is Being Tied To
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Aaron Glenn is in a similarly unforgiving spot, which is why the comparison is hard for Jets fans to miss. Bailey and Glenn are both being asked to prove their worth to the organization in a season where patience is in short supply, and the pressure around the rookie only grows when the coach who helped bring him in is facing the same kind of scrutiny. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Glenn May Have Found The Jets Defender Who Changes Everything
The Jets swap of Jermaine Johnson II to Tennessee for TVondre Sweat was always going to invite a little second-guessing, but the early read on the deal is less about what New York gave up and more about what it may have gained in the middle of the defense. ESPN analyst Ben Solak pointed to Sweat as the player most likely to make a real leap in 2026 under Aaron Glenn, whose reputation for pushing and connecting with players has already become part of the conversation around the new regime.
That kind of projection makes sense in a scheme built to stop the run, where Sweat is expected to line up as a nose tackle and anchor a front that leans on three defensive linemen. There is still plenty to prove, of course, but the appeal is obvious: if Glenns style can unlock the version of Sweat the Jets believe they are getting, New York may have found a defender whose ceiling changes the way the rest of the front is viewed. [Read more 🡒]