At 6-foot-4, Nahshon Wright is unusually tall for a cornerback. But that's not the only reason the fifth-year pro is standing out during training camp.
Lining up with the No. 1 defense, Wright has consistently made plays on the ball, using his length to pick up where he left off in OTA and minicamp workouts.
"He has been balling," said coach Ben Johnson. "He got a lot of turnovers in the spring. I have full trust in him. He's a veteran. Long corner. Being able to stick with some of these receivers. I really like what I have seen from him."
Wright spent his first three NFL seasons with the Cowboys, contributing primarily on special teams after arriving in 2021 as a third-round pick out of Oregon State. He was traded to the Vikings a year ago Saturday and played in one game in 2024, spending most of the season on Minnesota's practice squad.
Released by the Vikings April 7, Wright signed with the Bears the next day, jumping at the chance to rejoin defensive backs coach/defensive passing game coordinator Al Harris, his position coach with the Cowboys.
"I would love to play for Al as long as I possibly can," Wright said. "He's a hell of a coach. He has produced many All Pros and Pro Bowlers. That's a guy you want to lean on. I understand his language. I understand his coaching. I was with him for almost four years. I understand everything he's trying to bring to this team."
Wright characterized his relationship with Harris as "super close" and is continuing to benefit from his coach's knowledge and experience. Harris was an NFL cornerback for 14 seasons from 1998-2011, recording 21 interceptions and being selected to back-to-back Pro Bowls with the Packers in 2007-08.
"He's had me since I was a rookie, so he's kind of taught me everything I know up until this point, besides college," Wright said. "He's played the game, and he's played at a high level. He knows what it looks like. He knows how to coach it."
Harris has enjoyed the player/coach reunion just as much as Wright.
"He's one of the guys that I got a chance to quote-unquote raise up from the beginning," Harris said. "He's very coachable, his football IQ is high, and his size, that's what you want as a corner. His strengths are definitely his size, the knowledge of the game and just taking coaching points from whether it's drills or classroom to the field."
Wright's familiarity with Harris has contributed to the cornerback's early success with the Bears.
"He has been with Al in Dallas, so he already knows the defense, knows the technique and the things Al wants to get accomplished," Johnson said.
After appearing in only one game last season, Wright is relishing the chance to battle for playing time in training camp.
"Coming off the year I had, it means a lot to be able to come out here and compete and show the work that I've put in and just be able to be out there," he said. "Being on someone's 90-man roster is an opportunity, so just coming out here and competing every day means a lot."
With two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson sidelined due to an injury, Wright has been working with the No. 1 defense since the start of training camp.
"He's a good communicator," said nickel back Kyler Gordon. "He's on his stuff. He's got great technique. There's really no drop-off. He's been a great teammate, great player. It's exciting to watch him play and just jump right into the system. He's on everything; another smart player who knows how to do everything, so it's easy to play with him."
Bears receiver Rome Odunze was not familiar with Wright when they first became teammates in April, but that's no longer the case.
"No, I wasn't, but I'm familiar with him now," Odunze said. "He's a baller. There are not many 6-4 corners out there with his capabilities and his suddenness and agility, so it's been a challenge going against him every single day. I'm glad we have a guy like that on the roster I can compete against and then make the games a little bit easier."
