Nahshon Wright Bio
Nahshon Wright is an American professional football cornerback who plays in the National Football League. Known for his tall frame and ball-hawking instincts, Wright has built a career as a physical playmaker in the secondary. After spending time with the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, he emerged as a breakout defender with the Chicago Bears before joining the New York Jets.
Wright played college football for the Oregon State Beavers after beginning his collegiate career at Laney College. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft and has continued to develop into a reliable defensive contributor.
Early Life and Background
Nahshon Wright was born on September 23, 1998, in Hayward, California. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended James Logan High School in Union City, California. At James Logan, he played both wide receiver and cornerback while also lettering in basketball and track, showcasing his athletic versatility from an early age.
After high school, Wright enrolled at Laney College, a community college in Oakland. He contributed to the team’s 2018 state championship and earned All-conference honors across 12 starts, recording 17 tackles, four interceptions, and three passes defensed. His performance at Laney helped him attract attention from four-year programs.
Path to the NFL
Wright transferred to Oregon State University in 2019, joining the Beavers of the Pac-12 Conference. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 12 games with 10 starts, finishing with 34 tackles and three interceptions. His length and coverage ability quickly made him a key part of the Oregon State secondary.
In his junior season of 2020, which was shortened to seven games because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wright started six games and tallied 30 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defensed, and one sack. He recorded standout performances against California, Oregon, and Stanford before declaring for the 2021 NFL draft. The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the third round with the 99th overall pick.
Nahshon Wright Career
Dallas Cowboys Era (2021–2023)
Wright signed his four-year rookie contract with Dallas on July 21, 2021, worth $4.8 million. As a rookie, he appeared in 13 games primarily on special teams and finished with seven defensive tackles and two special teams tackles. His most memorable rookie moment came in Week 10 when he recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
In 2022, Wright appeared in seven games with two starts after being declared inactive early in the season. He recorded 22 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups, including a career-best nine-tackle performance against the Tennessee Titans that produced his first career interception. After an ankle injury in 2023 limited him to 12 games as a backup, Wright’s time in Dallas came to a close.
Minnesota Vikings (2024)
On August 9, 2024, Wright was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. He was waived shortly afterward and re-signed to the practice squad. Wright signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 17, 2025, before being released on April 7, 2025, as he sought a fresh opportunity.
Chicago Bears Era (2025)
On April 8, 2025, Wright signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears and quickly became one of the NFL’s biggest breakout stories. In the season opener against the Vikings, he returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown off J. J. McCarthy. He went on to record a league-leading eight takeaways, including five interceptions and three fumble recoveries, while forcing two fumbles and breaking up 11 passes.
Wright produced several signature moments during the 2025 season. He recovered a fumbled handoff in Week 6 to set up a game-winning drive against the Washington Commanders and intercepted Spencer Rattler the following week. In Week 13, he ripped the ball from Jalen Hurts to stop the Philadelphia Eagles’ famous Tush Push play, forcing their first turnover of the season on the play. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November and was selected as an alternate for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wright’s game is built around his 6-foot-4 frame, length, and physicality at the line of scrimmage. He excels in press-man coverage, where his size disrupts receivers’ routes, and he has shown reliable hands as a ball-hawk in zone looks. His tackling and willingness to support the run game have made him a three-down cornerback who thrives in contested situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Wright’s defining career moments are his 2025 NFC Defensive Player of the Month award, his game-sealing Hail Mary interception against the Cincinnati Bengals, and his forced fumble that ended the Eagles’ perfect Tush Push record. His 74-yard pick-six against Minnesota in the 2025 opener announced his arrival as a top playmaker.
Nahshon Wright Career Wins
Wright has yet to record a traditional individual win in the NFL, as cornerbacks are judged by individual statistical production rather than victories. However, he has consistently contributed to team success through turnovers and clutch plays across his career.
NFL Highlights
Wright’s most notable NFL achievements include being named an alternate for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games after leading the league with eight takeaways in 2025. His first career interception came against the Tennessee Titans in 2022, and he has since added five more interceptions, including two off J. J. McCarthy in 2025. He also won a state championship at Laney College in 2018.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Wright’s most significant team accomplishment was helping Laney College capture the 2018 state championship. He earned All-conference honors during his time at Laney and was a reliable starter during his two seasons at Oregon State.
Nahshon Wright Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in Wright’s family. His younger brother, Rejzohn Wright, was featured on the 2020 season of the Netflix series Last Chance U and plays cornerback for the New Orleans Saints. His cousin, Mekhi Blackmon, plays cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts, while another cousin, Bump Cooper Jr., played cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens.
Personal Life
Wright dedicated his second interception against Minnesota in 2025 to the late John Beam, his former head coach at Laney College. He continues to be active on social media and remains connected to his Bay Area roots.
2025 Season Performance
Wright’s 2025 campaign with the Chicago Bears stands as the defining season of his career. He finished the year leading the NFL with eight takeaways and earned NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors in November. His ability to force fumbles and intercept passes made him a centerpiece of Chicago’s defense.
Key moments included a 74-yard interception return touchdown against the Vikings in Week 1, a fumble recovery that set up a game-winning drive against Washington in Week 6, and a forced fumble on Jalen Hurts that ended the Eagles’ perfect Tush Push streak in Week 13. His late-season surge helped the Bears remain competitive in the NFC playoff picture.
Wright was named an alternate for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games after Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell withdrew due to injury, marking his first career Pro Bowl recognition. The performance positioned him as one of the most sought-after free agents heading into 2026.
