The Chicago Bears are getting healthy in the secondary at the perfect time, as Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordan have returned to the lineup for the final stretch of the 2025 regular season campaign.
With several reserves being forced into action throughout the season due to injuries, Chicago now has the luxury of choosing from several battle-tested options when filling out the back end of its defense. Unfortunately, one of those reserves is making it quite difficult for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to pull him off the field, even after the 2023 second-round pick Tyrique Stevenson returns from the shoulder injury that currently has him on the shelf.
Nahshon Wright's Week 13 Play Could Keep Tyrique Stevenson Off Field
What happens with Wright now that Chicago's regular starters are returning has been a hot topic of conversation, as the reserve CB has performed quite well when the opportunity to see the field has presented itself. Entering Week 13, Wright had already racked up new career highs in total tackles (49), interceptions (5), fumble recoveries (2), and touchdowns (1).
If that was enough to have people talking about whether it made sense to pull Wright off the field before Chicago's dominant 24-15 victory over the Eagles on Friday, the calls to keep him in the regular CB rotation should only get louder following his five tackles, coupled with a crucial forced fumble on Jalen Hurts on a tush push attempt, which Wright ultimately recovered after stripping the ball out of the QB's hands.
The advanced statistics show that Wright should at least still receive plenty of snaps, if not take Stevenson's spot outright, as Wright's coverage grade from Pro Football Focus entering Week 13 was 61.5, while Stevenson had a far less impressive grade of 54.3.
While riding the hot hand is something typically seen in other sports more so than football, especially at the professional level, this could be the exception to the rule. Wright has been a difference-maker for Chicago in the secondary, and the Bears will need that type of player who can go out and make a play on the ball as we move deeper into the season and the stakes are raised.
This is why Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen get paid the big bucks. They are trusted to make the right decision in these situations and, ultimately, whatever successes or failures come from choosing between Wright and Stevenson will be tied to them.
One thing is for certain, Wright is doing his part to stay on the field and in the spotlight.