With Jaylon Johnson Out Indefinitely, Nahshon Wright Embraces Larger Defensive Role and Leadership Duties for Rebuilding Chicago Bears Secondary

The Chicago Bears defense will look a lot different in the coming weeks—possibly even the rest of the 2025 season. With Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson sidelined indefinitely due to a lower leg injury suffered in training camp, a significant void has emerged in the secondary. While the loss of Johnson stings, it has opened the door for 25-year-old cornerback Nahshon Wright to step up—and he’s leaning all the way into the opportunity.

Wright, entering his fourth year in the NFL after being a third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, is no stranger to being overlooked. But now, in Chicago, he finds himself as the next man up. For a defense that’s been desperately trying to recapture the toughness and swagger of its past, Wright’s emergence could be both timely and pivotal.

From Depth to Defensive Driver

Before Johnson’s injury, Wright was penciled in as a rotational defensive back—someone who would see time in sub-packages, special teams, and potentially contribute in dime looks. But everything changed when Johnson went down. Head coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Eric Washington quickly made it clear that Wright wasn’t just filling a gap—he was now going to help drive the secondary.

“Nahshon has the size, length, and football IQ to be a real asset on the outside,” Eberflus said after Saturday’s practice. “This is the NFL—you don’t always know when your number will be called. He’s earned this shot and we believe in what he brings.”

Standing at 6-foot-4 with a wingspan more typical of an edge rusher than a cornerback, Wright has physical tools that make him uniquely suited to challenge big-bodied receivers. And in a division where he’ll face pass-catchers like Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, Green Bay’s Christian Watson, and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson (once healthy), that length is going to matter.

Filling the Jaylon Johnson Void

Johnson’s absence leaves more than just a statistical gap. He’s been the emotional and tactical anchor of the Bears’ pass defense since being drafted in 2020. Coming off a 2024 season in which he notched four interceptions and 15 pass deflections, Johnson had earned a reputation as one of the league’s most physical and consistent corners. The Bears even signed him to a four-year extension this offseason, confident he would continue anchoring their defense for years to come.

That’s why his indefinite absence stings so much.

“Jaylon’s our guy. But he’s also been in my corner, telling me ‘Don’t try to be me—just be the best Nahshon Wright,’” said Wright after Monday’s walkthrough. “He’s helped me from Day 1 since I got to Chicago. I just want to hold it down until he’s back—and even after that, still be someone this defense can count on.”

It’s that mindset that has impressed the coaching staff. While Wright is relatively soft-spoken off the field, his physicality and aggressiveness have shown up in practice. Teammates say his voice has grown louder, his confidence more visible.

“He’s playing like a guy who knows it’s his time,” said safety Jaquan Brisker. “He’s not out there thinking anymore. He’s reacting, playing fast, and locking stuff up.”

From Dallas to Chicago: A Reset With Purpose

Wright’s NFL journey hasn’t always been smooth. After a promising start with the Cowboys, where he showed flashes in limited snaps, inconsistencies in coverage and tackling kept him from solidifying a starting job. Dallas waived him in late 2024, and the Bears quickly pounced, seeing untapped potential in the rangy cornerback from Oregon State.

For Wright, Chicago offered a fresh start—but not a guaranteed role.

“I had to earn everything again,” Wright said. “When I came in, it was about showing I was coachable, I could contribute, and that I belonged here.”

He quietly impressed during OTAs and made several standout plays in minicamp. Coaches noted his improved footwork and willingness to study tape. With a full offseason in Chicago’s defensive system, Wright looks much more comfortable in both man and zone concepts.

“His growth has been steady,” said defensive backs coach David Overstreet II. “He’s seeing the field better, anticipating route combinations, and trusting his technique.”

Bigger Expectations, Bigger Leadership Role

Now that he’s thrust into a starter’s role, Wright is also being asked to lead—not just play.

The Bears’ secondary is filled with young talent: Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and rookie Khyree Jackson are all promising but still learning. Wright, despite being only 25, is now one of the more experienced corners in the room.

“He’s been vocal during film sessions, pointing out alignment stuff and helping the younger guys,” said Gordon. “That’s what a real teammate does. He’s not just stepping into Jaylon’s shoes, he’s helping us all level up.”

It’s not just the secondary that benefits from Wright’s communication. His ability to read offenses and pass along pre-snap information to linebackers and safeties helps the defense stay cohesive.

“He’s playing smarter, not just harder,” said linebacker T.J. Edwards. “When your corner can relay what he sees before the ball’s even snapped, that changes things.”

A Testy Road Ahead

The Bears aren’t easing into the season. Their early schedule includes matchups against the high-powered Houston Texans, the New York Jets with Aaron Rodgers, and a Week 4 showdown against Jared Goff and the Lions. Those games will test Chicago’s rebuilt defense—and Wright in particular.

Still, the corner isn’t backing down.

“I love the challenge,” Wright said with a grin. “You don’t come to the NFL to play it safe. You come to make plays.”

Wright is already making his presence known during camp scrimmages. He’s recorded multiple pass breakups, and on Sunday, he notched a pick-six during a two-minute drill, intercepting rookie quarterback Austin Reed and returning it 40 yards for a touchdown. The moment drew cheers from fans and teammates alike.

“Plays like that are why he’s earning the trust,” Eberflus said.

An Unexpected Opportunity—and a Possible Long-Term Fit

Jaylon Johnson’s injury is unfortunate, but Wright’s ascension has presented the Bears with a silver lining. If Wright can continue his upward trajectory, he may not just be a temporary patch—he might become a long-term piece of the puzzle.

His contract runs through 2025, giving the Bears flexibility. But if Wright performs well in Johnson’s absence, the front office may look to secure him beyond this year as part of a formidable cornerback duo.

General Manager Ryan Poles hinted at the possibility last week.

“We brought Nahshon in because we believed in his tools,” Poles said. “And he’s proving he’s more than a backup. If he continues on this path, we’re going to have some great decisions to make.”

NFL careers are often shaped by moments like these. One injury opens the door, and a player’s response determines the trajectory of their career. For Nahshon Wright, this is that moment. His development, his mindset, and his performance will all be under the microscope.

But so far, he’s not flinching.

“God’s timing is perfect,” Wright said. “I stayed ready, and now it’s my time to show what I can do.”

In a season that could be defined by transition and youth, Nahshon Wright is emerging as one of the most compelling stories on the Bears roster. If he keeps rising, he might not just replace Jaylon Johnson temporarily—he might help redefine what the future of Chicago’s defense looks like.