One thing has become very clear: Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright must play at all cost.
After collecting a fifth interception of the season and two pass deflections in the Bears' 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, things have certainly gotten interesting in the secondary for Chicago. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon's returns are looming, and the Bears are faced with an impossible decision to make at cornerback.
Bears defensive back coach Al Harris was asked about the emergence of Wright this season after being a career backup. Harris, getting to know him on a personal level, has a ton of respect for the work Wright has put into this moment.
"Outside of football, we've been extremely close. So to see him have the success he's had, it warms my heart. It really does. I know what he has been through. I know how hard he has worked. ... For him to be humble and keep working, keep working, keep working, he has done an excellent job. I'm proud of the way he comes to work every single day as the same guy."
As to how the Bears are going to handle the cornerback position when Johnson and Gordon are back? Harris said the coaching staff will do whatever it takes to have the best players on the field, including Wright.
"As a staff, we have to figure out how to get our best 11 guys out on the field. However, that works out. ... With (Nahshon's) production, I would say he's one of those 11 guys."
As the Bears secondary gets closer to whole again, there is little chance Pro Bowl candidate Nahshon Wright will see his role drastically reduced.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) November 25, 2025
Al Harris: "As a staff, we have to figure out how to get our best 11 guys out on the field. However that works out. ... With…
Wright has earned the respect of his coaching staff
Through 11 games this season, Wright has racked up 49 tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, 10 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and leads the NFL in interceptions (five) and pick-sixes (one). His Pro Football Focus grade is 58, ranking 71st among 110 cornerbacks in the NFL.
Has it been a perfect season for Wright? Not exactly. He has been inconsistent in coverage in the first half of the season, but his play of late has shown a completely different story.
The Steelers game is the perfect example of the player the Bears have been wanting to see at cornerback all season. Wright was flying around the ball as a great tackler while also making plays for the ball. Even with Tyrique Stevenson getting hurt in the game, Wright stepped up and was the shutdown CB1 they needed him to be.
It's evident that Johnson is the CB1 on the Bears, so he will at least be in the lineup, and Gordon is a clear starting nickel corner as well. The question will be whether Wright or Stevenson should be the CB2.
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What a decision the Bears have to make, but kudos to Wright for making it tough on them. He might be playing at a Pro Bowl level, so good luck leaving him on the bench without criticism being sent to the franchise. Expect Wright to stay in the lineup in some way.