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Nahshon Wright

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Nahshon Wright
Wright in 2025
No. 26 – New York Jets
PositionCornerback
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (1998-09-23) September 23, 1998 (age 27)
Hayward, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolJames Logan (Union City, California)
College
NFL draft2021 (3rd round, 99th overall pick)
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Total tackles117
Pass deflections16
Interceptions6
Forced fumbles2
Fumble recoveries3
Defensive touchdowns1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nahshon Wright (/nəˈʃɔːn/ nə-SHAWN;[1] born September 23, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Wright has also played a single season for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, where he earned his first Pro Bowl bid.

Early life

[edit]

Wright attended James Logan High School, where he played as a wide receiver and cornerback. He also lettered in basketball and track. He enrolled at Laney College, where he contributed to the team winning the 2018 state championship. He tallied 12 starts, 17 tackles (1.5 for loss), four interceptions, and three passes defensed, while earning All-conference honors.

He transferred to Oregon State University in 2019. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 12 games with 10 starts, posting 34 tackles (half a tackle for loss) and three interceptions.

As a junior in 2020, the football season was reduced to seven games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] He started in six games, registering 30 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defensed, and one sack. He had six tackles and one interception against California. He had seven tackles, one interception, and one pass defensed against Oregon. He had seven tackles and one sack against Stanford. He declared for the NFL draft after the season.[3]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m)		183 lb
(83 kg)		32+7⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		6 ft 5+7⁄8 in
(1.98 m)		4.49 s1.64 s2.65 s4.57 s7.19 s31.0 in
(0.79 m)		10 ft 6 in
(3.20 m)		6 reps
All values from Pro Day[4][5]

Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

Wright was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (99th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft.[6] The selection was criticized in the media as a reach, while the team passed on other defensive backs like Elijah Molden, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Ambry Thomas and Brandon Stephens.[7] Wright signed his four-year rookie contract with Dallas on July 21, worth $4.8 million.[8] In Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, he touched a blocked punt after it passed the line of scrimmage, causing the officiating crew to award the ball back to the Broncos with a new set of downs. In Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, he recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. He appeared in 13 games, playing mainly on special teams, finishing the season with 7 defensive tackles and two special teams tackles.

In 2022, he appeared in 7 games with two starts, registering 22 tackles (one for loss), one interception, 4 pass breakups and one special teams tackle. He was declared inactive in the first 5 games of the season. In the fourteenth game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he replaced a struggling Kelvin Joseph at right cornerback. He started in the fifteenth game against the Philadelphia Eagles, compiling 8 tackles (one for loss) and 2 pass breakups. He started in the sixteenth game against the Tennessee Titans, leading the defense with a career-best 9 tackles, 2 pass breakups and his first career interception. He struggled with penalties in his 2 starts. In the season finale against the Washington Commanders, he was replaced in the starting lineup with Trayvon Mullen. He was declared inactive for the 2 playoff games, to allow the team to activate Israel Mukuamu.

On August 30, 2023, Wright was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.[9] He was activated on October 16.[10] He appeared in 12 games as a backup player, tallying 2 defensive tackles, one pass breakup and 3 special teams tackles.

Minnesota Vikings

[edit]

On August 9, 2024, Wright was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Andrew Booth Jr.[11] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[12][13]

Wright signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 17, 2025.[14] On April 7, Wright was released by the Vikings.[15]

Chicago Bears

[edit]

On April 8, 2025, Wright signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears.[16]

In the first game of the 2025 regular season against the Vikings, he recorded a 74-yard interception return touchdown off J. J. McCarthy.[17] As the season progressed, Wright saw increased action due to injuries at cornerback.[18] He recovered a fumbled handoff in Week 6 that led to the Bears' game-winning drive to beat the Washington Commanders,[19] followed by intercepting the New Orleans Saints' Spencer Rattler a week later.[20] In Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Wright was beaten by Tee Higgins for two touchdowns in the first half, including a 44-yard score in which Higgins caught a pass over Wright along the sideline;[21][22] despite the struggles, Wright intercepted Joe Flacco's Hail Mary pass to secure the Bears' 47–42 victory.[23] Wright also dropped two potential interceptions in Week 10, but recovered a late fumble by New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart to help Chicago win.[24][25] He intercepted McCarthy again in the second meeting with Minnesota, which he dedicated to late Laney College head coach John Beam.[26] Wright was responsible for stopping the Eagles' infamous Tush Push in Week 13 when he ripped the ball from Jalen Hurts, leading to Philadelphia's first turnover of the season when they ran the play.[27] He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November.[28]

Wright ended the 2025 season with a league-leading eight takeaways, consisting of five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He also forced two fumbles and broke up 11 passes.[29] After Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell withdrew due to injury, Wright was named an alternate for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games.[30]

New York Jets

[edit]

On March 12, 2026, the New York Jets signed Wright to a one-year, $5.5 million contract.[31]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFmbFRYdsTD
2021DAL 1319720.00000.000001000
2022DAL 72231760.01100.000400000
2023DAL 1205320.00000.000100000
2024MIN 100000.00000.000000000
2025CHI 17168054260.03511823.674111203-10
Career 501911781360.04611819.774116213-10

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFmbFRYdsTD
2023DAL 100000.00000.000000000
2025CHI 226330.00000.000100000
Career 326330.00000.000100000

Personal life

[edit]

His younger brother Rejzohn was featured in the 2020 season of the series Last Chance U, and currently plays cornerback for the New Orleans Saints.[32] His cousin, Mekhi Blackmon, plays cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts.[33] Another cousin, Bump Cooper Jr., played cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens.[34]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "2022 Dallas Cowboys Media Guide" (PDF). NFL.com. National Football League. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Pac-12 CEO Group announces decision to schedule conference-only play for several Fall sports & to delay move toward mandatory athletics activities". Pac-12 Conference. July 10, 2020. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  3. ↑ Machado, Angie (December 23, 2020). "Oregon State cornerback Nahshon Wright declares for NFL Draft". 247Sports. Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Nahshon Wright Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Nahshon Wright, Oregon State, CB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". DraftScout.com. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  6. ↑ Phillips, Rob (April 30, 2021). "Double Coverage: Cowboys Draft 2nd CB On Day 2". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  7. ↑ "NFL draft 2021 winners, head-scratching picks, reaches from Rounds 2 and 3: Mel Kiper's Day 2 recap". ESPN. April 30, 2021. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  8. ↑ Links, Zachary (July 21, 2021). "Cowboys Sign Nahshon Wright". Pro Football Rumors. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  9. ↑ Walker, Patrik (August 30, 2023). "Cowboys move two to IR, reveal 2023 practice squad". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ Harris, Nick (October 16, 2023). "Cowboys announce six roster moves ahead of MNF". DallasCowboys.com.
  11. ↑ Shook, Nick. "Cowboys send CB Nahshon Wright to Vikings in exchange for CB Andrew Booth". NFL. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  12. ↑ Peters, Craig (August 27, 2024). "Vikings Utilize Reserve Lists During Roster Cuts: T.J. Hockenson on Reserve/PUP". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ Peters, Craig (August 28, 2024). "Vikings Sign 17 Players to 2024 Practice Squad". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  14. ↑ Peters, Craig (January 17, 2025). "Vikings Sign Dozen-Plus Players to Futures Contracts for 2025". Vikings.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  15. ↑ Williams, Charean (April 7, 2025). "Vikings cut CB Nahshon Wright". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Roster Moves: Bears sign DB Nahshon Wright". chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  17. ↑ Ragatz, Will (September 8, 2025). "Watch: Ex-Vikings CB Nahshon Wright snags pick-six off J.J. McCarthy". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  18. ↑ Moreano, Nicholas. "Nahshon Wright among five players to watch in Bears vs Bengals Week 9 game". Marquee Sports Network. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  19. ↑ Clements, Kyle (October 14, 2025). "Pro Beavs: Nahshon Wright's Critical Fumble Recovery Highlights Week 6 NFL Action". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 18, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  20. ↑ Whitt, Richie (October 19, 2025). "Another opportunistic takeaway by Bears' CB leads to big early lead over Saints". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  21. ↑ Keel, Fletcher (November 2, 2025). "Flacco's 470 passing yards, Higgins 2 TDs not enough as Bengals drop shootout to Bears, 47-42". WLWT. Archived from the original on November 3, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  22. ↑ Kern, Mark (November 2, 2025). "Tee Higgins Joins Rare Company With Incredible Touchdown Against Bears". Newsweek. Archived from the original on November 7, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  23. ↑ Ong, Eli (November 3, 2025). "Chicago Bears Breakdown: The last two minutes of their chaotic victory at the Bengals". WGN-TV. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  24. ↑ "5 Bears Who Nearly Blew It Against the New York Giants". Sports Mockery. November 11, 2025. Archived from the original on November 14, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  25. ↑ Aguilar, Joe (November 9, 2025). "What worked and what didn't in the Bears' win over the Giants?". Daily Herald. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  26. ↑ Finley, Patrick (November 16, 2025). "Bears CB Nahshon Wright pays tribute to late coach John Beam after interception". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  27. ↑ Ostly, Ayrton (November 28, 2025). "Eagles commit rare tush push fumble in red zone against Bears". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 28, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  28. ↑ Hammond, Sean (December 4, 2025). "Chicago Bears CB Nahshon Wright, once buried on the depth chart, wins NFC Defensive Player of the Month". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  29. ↑ Mayer, Larry (January 26, 2026). "Bears CB Nahshon Wright added to NFC roster for Pro Bowl Games". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  30. ↑ Dwojak, Michal (January 26, 2026). "Bears' Wright headed to Pro Bowl as injury replacement". Daily Herald. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Jets Sign DB Nahshon Wright". NewYorkJets.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2026. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  32. ↑ "OSU Beavers JUCO transfer Rejzohn Wright featured on Last Chance U". NBC Sports. July 29, 2020. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Minnesota Vikings trade CB Mekhi Blackmon to Indianapolis Colts for sixth-round draft pick". CBS News. August 25, 2025. Archived from the original on August 28, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Ryan Cooper Jr. - Football". osubeavers.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
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