The New York Jets are coming off a historically bad season, especially on defense. However, they are bringing in a defender from the Chicago Bears to hopefully turn things around in the Big Apple.
How Nahshon Wright Can Help the New York Jets
“The #Jets are signing former #Bears Pro Bowl CB Nahshon Wright to a 1-year deal worth up $5.5M per sources,” reported Jordan Schultz on X. Wright is coming off a great year with the Bears.
Before Wright’s big year with the Bears, however, he had an up-and-down career. Wright was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 and played three seasons with the team, posting mixed results. The next year, Wright was with the Minnesota Vikings. As a Viking, though, Wright played only one game.
In the 2025 season, Wright had his big breakout with Chicago. As Schultz mentioned, “Wright had a massive season last year with 5 INTs, 11 PBUs, 2 FF, 3 FR and 80 tackles.” For his great season, Wright was added to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement.
Having 5 interceptions in a season made him a ballhawk last year, which is great for the Jets. The Jets’ defense recorded no interceptions in the 2025 season.
They were the first team in NFL history to not record an interception in a season since the stat began being tracked in 1933. Bringing in a cornerback with great ball skills should be a huge help to the Jets’ secondary.
BREAKING: The #Jets are signing former #Bears Pro Bowl CB Nahshon Wright to a 1-year deal worth up $5.5M per sources.
Wright had a massive season last year with 5 INTs, 11 PBUs, 2 FF, 3 FR and 80 tackles. pic.twitter.com/zPHcW7amKU
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 10, 2026
Wright also fills a need for the Jets’ defense. The Jets traded away cornerback Sauce Gardner last season to the Indianapolis Colts. Last free agency cycle, the Jets brought in Brandon Stephens, who had a tough year. Stephens graded out at C-, ranking 76th according to PFSN NFL CB Impact metrics.
Wright joins a Jets secondary that is getting revamped, as the team recently traded for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Plus, there is a chance the Jets will take a cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft, such as Clemson’s Avieon Terrell or Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy.
Wright brings a lot to the table for the Jets’ secondary, but there is some hesitancy to be had. Wright can be a very boom-or-bust player. In the 2025 season, according to the PFSN Cornerback Impact metrics, Wright had four games in which he earned a D+ grade and ranked in the high 80s or low 90s.
Wright had some great games as well, but he is a more aggressive corner. This does fit head coach Aaron Glenn’s defense, though. Glenn is a more aggressive defensive mind in the NFL, so Wright fits that billing very well.
The best part about this deal is that it is for one year. If things go well, the Jets could extend him for longer. If they do not, the Jets can simply move on from Wright.
