The Chicago Bears might have to rely on an unfamiliar face in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.
With two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson's status for Monday night's season opener at home against the Minnesota Vikings up in the air, 2025 free-agent signing Nahshon Wright could be thrust into a prominent role out of the gate.
On Friday, the Bears listed Johnson (groin/calf) as limited during practice two days before the NFC North showdown. Johnson missed all of training camp and the preseason with the same injury.
Nahshon Wright Would Be a Major Gamble Against All-Pro WR
Wright, a 2021 third-round pick (No. 99 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys, spent the 2024 season with the Vikings following a preseason trade from the Cowboys, but only appeared in one game, playing 15 snaps on special teams.
First-year Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen runs a man-heavy coverage scheme, making it essential for Bears defensive backs to beat opponents in one-on-one matchups.
Against the Vikings, that could be easier said than done.
Minnesota is led at wide receiver by two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. In August, it acquired veteran Adam Thielen, who spent his first nine seasons with the franchise before signing with the Carolina Panthers in March 2023.
With the Bears secondary hobbled, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell may be more inclined to take risks in the pass game with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is set to make his first career start after missing all of his 2024 rookie season with a torn meniscus.
For his career, Wright has only played 269 defensive snaps, with a career high of 128 in 2022.
During the preseason, he allowed four receptions for 76 yards, including a 58-yarder in Week 3 to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
But he turned heads among the coaching staff and front office, with defensive backs coach Al Harris telling reporters in August, "[Nahshon] has a high ceiling.
"You can see the talent there. He has the size. So, he's just gotta make the plays," Harris, a 14-year NFL veteran, said.
General manager Ryan Poles also described Wright as having gotten "significantly better" during the offseason when discussing the team's depth, per ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin.
Earlier this week, The Athletic Bears beat writer Dan Wiederer spoke about the uncertainty at corner on 670 The Score and noted Wright's familiarity with the Vikings passing offense as a potential benefit.
After signing the fifth-year veteran to a one-year, $1.1 million contract this offseason, the Bears likely didn't plan for Wright to have a significant role on defense, much less taking multiple snaps opposite Jefferson to start the regular season. But with Johnson not at 100 percent, he might be put in that unenviable position.