Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright has turned plenty of heads throughout the early stages of training camp, and he’s primed to serve a significant role in his first seasons with the team.
After a disappointing 2024 season where he was waived by the Minnesota Vikings and later re-signed to the practice squad, Wright signed with Chicago this offseason and, in doing so, was reunited with his former defensive backs coach Al Harris from when the two spent time together with the Dallas Cowboys.
Harris, who was hired as part of the big coaching staff shakeup this offseason, comes to the Bears with a respected resume during his time in Dallas, and now has plenty of talent to work with in the Bears secondary. In the short time of their reunion, Harris and Wright have clearly made a connection, with Wright being one of the top breakout stars of training camp, and the former third-round pick of Dallas wants to play for Harris as long as he can in his career.
“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. 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, 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.”
A 14-year veteran during his playing days, Harris made his biggest mark with the Green Bay Packers, and has now established himself as one of the best secondary coaches in the league. For Harris, working with Wright since he was a rookie has strengthened the bond between the two.
“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 is currently entrenched in a roster battle with Tyrique Stevenson for the outside cornerback job opposite Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson. If Wright continues his impressive summer, not wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in a starting role come Week 1.
