Expectations were relatively low when the Chicago Bears signed cornerback Nahshon Wright to a one-year contract during the offseason. The former 2021 third-rounder was looking for a fresh start after his time with the Dallas Cowboys ended, and the Bears were hoping that a 'prove-yourself' contract would be enough to motivate Wright to reach his potential.
It didn't take Wright long to look like a different player in the Windy City, as he entered Week 17's clash against the San Francisco 49ers boasting a career-high 11 pass break-ups and five interceptions. Unfortunately, the ex-Oregon State Beaver had a performance to forget against the Bears, potentially jeopardizing a return to Chicago as his unrestricted free agency looms.
Nahshon Wright's Week 17 May Have Torpedoed Potential Bears Return
If anyone wanted to see their best human Swiss cheese impression, Wright certainly gave his best effort in Week 17. The 27-year-old CB was constantly targeted by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, and for good reason, as Wright gave up six catches for a season-worst 101 yards (16.8 per catch) and a 118.8 passer rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
PFF grades also don't always tell a full story, but Wright's 56.9 coverage grade on the week — his lowest since Week 9 — was more than deserved. He's now surrendered 18 receptions on 25 targets (72.0%) for 231 yards and a touchdown in his last six games, making it clear that he's hurting his prospects of being well-paid this offseason.
Yes, Wright's interception numbers are impressive, but it's obvious that he isn't someone who can be relied on in coverage. He struggles to follow his man's routes, proven by how 49ers wideout Ricky Pearsall had him in a blender throughout the Sunday Night Football loss. That's just unacceptable, especially if the Bears want to hang with the NFL's top offensive powerhouses.
All of this isn't to say that Wright shouldn't be brought back to Chicago, but that can only happen if the price is right (no pun intended). Perhaps another one- or two-year contract is needed until the Bears are convinced that he deserves to remain in the starter conversation with the likes of Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson. After all, Spotrac lists general manager Ryan Poles as only having about $8.5 million in cap space to play with this offseason, emphasizing the financial tightrope he must walk.
Whether it's for his next contract or the Bears' playoff run, Wright has to find a way to play more reliably moving forward. He can't afford to continue being an obvious target for opposing QBs, as that's a recipe to ensure that Chicago's postseason won't last long, as well as making potential offseason suitors less likely to offer him a premium contract.
Needless to say, all eyes will be on Wright to see how he performs in Week 18 and the playoffs. His future in the NFL, not only in the Windy City, will depend on it.