Veteran fans know the Chicago Bears roster will feature some surprises once the dust settles at the end of August. Certain players expected to make the team won't, and some unknown names will do enough to secure a spot. Nobody saw Tyson Bagent coming in 2023. Yet his performances convinced the organization he needed to stay. One thing to remember, though, is this isn't restricted to undrafted rookies. There are also no-name veterans that fans don't bother remembering who end up making noise.
Insiders Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns believe one is already turning heads in the first phase of practices. Nahshon Wright was a 3rd round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. His 6'4 frame is hard to miss at the cornerback position. While he played sporadically for the team for three seasons, he never managed more than a backup role due to Dallas' deep roster. He spent last year in Minnesota, where he barely played at all. It seems a reunion with defensive backs coach Al Harris has reawakened some of his potential.
Wright fits what the Chicago Bears want.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes to run a system built around man coverage. He wants guys who can go toe-to-toe with wide receivers on the outside, allowing him to cook up creative blitz packages to attack teh quarterback. Wright has almost everything you could want for that style. He's big, long, physical, and has the intelligence to recognize route combinations. The one issue likely keeping him from more playing time is speed. Too often, he seems to get beaten over the top, making him a liability in the eyes of many. That is why most don't see him as a fit in a man defense. The Chicago Bears may feel differently. That is why they signed him. So far, so good.
