Chicago Bears Breakout Star Nahshon Wrights Breaks Silence On Upcoming Free Agency Decision
The Chicago Bears’ 2025 season was a story of surprising success, and one of its brightest chapters was the out-of-nowhere emergence of cornerback Nahshon Wright. After signing a modest one-year, $1.1 million contract, Wright went from a special teams afterthought to one of the most productive defensive backs in the NFL. Now, as he heads into the offseason, his future is one of the biggest questions facing the franchise.
Wright recently broke his silence on his impending free agency, expressing a desire to remain in the city where he revitalized his career. His comments, however, also acknowledged the uncertainty of the business side of football, leaving Bears fans to wonder if his breakout season may have made him too expensive to keep.
Chicago Bears Nahshon Wright On Upcoming Free Agency
To appreciate the dilemma facing the Bears, one has to understand just how remarkable Wright’s 2025 season was. Before arriving in Chicago, the 27-year-old had started just three games across four NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. In 2024 with the Vikings, he didn’t play a single defensive snap.
The Bears gave him a chance, and he seized it in spectacular fashion. Starting 16 games, the Chicago Bears cornerback became a cornerstone of the defense. He recorded 80 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and a stunning five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. His playmaking ability was a rare bright spot on a defense that otherwise struggled for much of the year.
His performance was so impressive that it drew praise from around the league, including from division rival Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers, who called Wright’s omission from the Pro Bowl a “snub.” Wright went from a fringe roster player to a legitimate impact starter in the span of a single season.
Wright’s Comments on His Future
While attending the Pro Bowl festivities, Wright spoke candidly about his future. His preference is clear: he wants to continue building on his success in Chicago.
“I definitely would love to be back in Chicago, but who knows,” Wright said. “We’ll see.”
His sentiment reflects the reality for many players coming off a career year. There’s a loyalty to the team that provided the opportunity, but also an understanding that free agency is a player’s best chance to secure life-changing financial security. Wright has put himself in a position to cash in, and both he and the Bears know it.
The Financial Challenge of Nahshon Wright Free Agency
Wright’s breakout season creates a classic “good problem” for the Bears’ front office, but it’s a problem nonetheless. One of the most significant offseason decisions will be how to handle his contract.
Spotrac, a website specializing in sports contracts, projects Wright could command a new deal worth nearly $17 million per year over three seasons. That is a massive jump from the $1.1 million he earned in 2025 and puts him in the upper echelon of cornerback salaries.
This potential price tag presents several challenges for Chicago:
- Existing Investment: The Bears have already made a significant financial commitment to the cornerback position, signing superstar Jaylon Johnson to a four-year, $76 million contract. Allocating another top-market deal to a second cornerback could strain their salary cap.
- Other Defensive Free Agents: The secondary is facing a major overhaul. First-Team All-Pro safety Kevin Byard is also a free agent, as are fellow safety Jaquan Brisker and versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The Bears simply may not have the resources to retain everyone.
- Regression Risk: While Wright’s 2025 season was phenomenal, it was also an outlier compared to the first four years of his career. There is a risk in paying a player based on one career year, as there’s no guarantee that level of production is sustainable. The front office must weigh his incredible season against the possibility of regression to the mean.
Ultimately, another team with more cap space and a desperate need at cornerback might be willing to offer Wright a contract that the Bears, with their other roster needs, simply can’t justify matching.
The situation with Nahshon Wright is a difficult one. The Bears took a chance on a player and were rewarded with elite production. Now, that same production might price him out of their future plans. While both sides seem to want a reunion, the financial realities of the NFL may dictate otherwise. As the new league year approaches, the negotiations—or lack thereof—will be a key indicator of the Bears’ priorities and their strategy for building a sustainable winner.
