Nahshon Wright made his name known with the Chicago Bears during the 2025 season, leading cornerbacks with five interceptions while earning Pro Bowl honors.

Prior to that, though, he was largely unknown.

After being selected in the third round of the 2021 draft by the Dallas Cowboys out of Oregon State, he was primarily a special teamer until last season, when he was given a fair opportunity on defense, and he took advantage of it.

But while he was a monster on the ball, Wright struggled mightily in coverage. He allowed 725 yards and seven touchdowns on passes thrown in his direction, both ranking fifth-highest among cornerbacks.

Those struggles are why Wright could only land a one-year, $3.5 million deal (fully guaranteed) with the New York Jets in free agency, despite his five interceptions.

However, as he enters his first season with the Jets, there is optimism that his coverage skills could develop to a level where he isn’t a full-blown liability in that critical aspect of the position.

Why Wright’s coverage skills could develop

Typically, it is expected that NFL players in their late twenties do not have much more room for development. That might not be the case with Wright.

While Wright is 27 years old, he has limited NFL game experience. He has started just 19 regular season games, 16 of those coming last season.

This year, the former third-round pick will have the opportunity throughout training camp to earn one of the Jets’ starting outside cornerback spots. If he can win the role, he will start just his 20th NFL game in Week 1.

With such limited experience, it is possible that Wright’s coverage skills could still improve with more regular season reps. The opportunity to learn under head coach Aaron Glenn will allow Wright to continue on that development.

Wright highlighted Glenn as a reason he chose to come to New York.

“I got a chance to speak with coach AG (Aaron Glenn), and we just had a good talk, and it just made sense,” Wright said of why he signed with the Jets. “It made sense to be here and have an opportunity to prove myself again.”

Wright’s tantalizing upside in the takeaway department is enough on its own to make him worth a $3.5 million gamble. Not only did Wright have five interceptions last season, but he also added two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Now, what if I told you that instead of allowing 725 yards and seven touchdowns, he allows something like 500 yards and four touchdowns?

That wouldn’t make him anywhere close to one of the top corners in football. But if his coverage could get to around a league-average level, Wright can be a starter in the league.

That’s assuming, of course, he remains a premier ball-hawker. With a low floor in coverage, it is crucial for Wright to maintain his elite takeaway production.

The corner doesn’t need to be perfect for the Jets this season. For Gang Green, Wright is a traditional low-risk, high-reward addition. If Wright doesn’t pan out, the Jets have enough depth at corner to stay afloat, and the cost was low, anyway.

However, if Glenn and the Jets’ defensive coaching staff can help Wright become merely serviceable in college, he could go down as one of the best bargains of the NFL offseason.