By far the biggest surprise of 2025 is Nahshon Wright. He was nothing more than a practice squad player when the Chicago Bears signed him early last year. The former 3rd round pick hadn’t accomplished much during his few years in Dallas and failed to latch on with the Minnesota Vikings after trading for him. Chicago felt like one of the remaining few of his dwindling opportunities. Then a series of injuries at cornerback forced him into the starting lineup. He responded with five interceptions and three forced fumbles, piecing together a crucial season to help the Bears make the playoffs.
The timing couldn’t be better from his perspective. This breakout season comes right as he’s about to hit free agency in 2026. That means he is virtually guaranteed to receive a substantial pay raise for his efforts. Many Bears fans are hoping the team will try to keep him, given what he has accomplished. Joel Corry is a former sports agent who has represented notable athletes. Based on his salary cap knowledge, he revealed the likely floor Wright will be looking at next spring.
Financial benchmark: Kristian Fulton — two years, $10 million per year, $15 million guaranteed
Wright would like to remain in Chicago. The Bears already have significant financial commitments at cornerback, though. Jaylon Johnson is in the second year of the four-year, $76 million deal averaging $19 million per year he signed in 2024. Kyler Gordon signed a three-year, $40 million extension averaging $13,333,333 per year in April.
On the open market, Wright will need other teams to view this season as a sign of things to come rather than an outlier.
That price for Nahshon Wright is lower than expected.
While $10 million per year may sound like a lot, it’s much lower than the typical rate for top cornerbacks. Remember, Sauce Gardner just got paid $30 million per year by Indianapolis. Wright may not be at his level, but is he only a third as good? No. This puts the Bears in a dilemma. There is no question that the young cornerback functions well in this defense. His ball skills are some of the best in the league. Given the ongoing health concerns with Kyler Gordon and Terell Smith, it might make sense to keep him around.
The problem is that the team has more pressing needs on defense, and very little salary cap to spare. Current projections have them $200,000 in the red. Sparing $10 million for what would be your third or fourth cornerback doesn’t seem fiscally responsible. Nahshon Wright has done a great job, but he’s still a flawed player. Opponents have beaten him seven times for a touchdown this season. He is pure feast-or-famine. Paying guys like that can have consequences.
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