Cowboys Named Among Best Fits for Reunion With Ball-Hawk CB Nahshon Wright

The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 offseason facing a complicated mix of roster questions, cap challenges, and the lingering pressure to reinforce a defense that struggled throughout the 2025 season, particularly in the secondary.

That unit, once defined by continuity and opportunistic playmaking, regressed sharply last year, and with several defensive backs either departing in free agency or declining in performance, the Cowboys are now expected to aggressively explore upgrades at cornerback.

One name who has quickly emerged as a compelling option is a familiar one: Chicago Bears breakout star and former Cowboys draft pick Nahshon Wright.

Wright, a third-round pick of Dallas in 2021, spent three seasons with the Cowboys, appearing in 32 games and recording one interception, but he never fully developed into a regular starter in Dallas’ defensive scheme.

Following a 2024 trade to the Minnesota Vikings, Wright failed to carve out a consistent role, only to revive his career in dramatic fashion with the Chicago Bears in 2025.

Rejoining defensive backs coach Al Harris — the same coach who helped develop him during his Cowboys tenure — Wright blossomed into one of the NFL’s most productive ball-hawks, finishing the year with 80 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and five interceptions while leading the league with eight total takeaways.

His performance not only made him a first-time Pro Bowler but also turned him into one of the fastest-rising free agents on the market, with USA Today’s Nate Davis ranking him as the No. 21 free agent available this offseason.

Davis named three ideal fits for Wright: the Bears, the Seahawks, and his original team — the Dallas Cowboys.

The argument for a reunion is built around three primary pillars: scheme familiarity, ball-production upside, and the Cowboys’ glaring need for a boundary corner with Wright’s rare physical traits.

At 6-foot-4 and 199 pounds, Wright possesses unique size for the position, allowing him to contest jump balls, challenge bigger wideouts, and disrupt passing windows with his length.

Those traits were exactly what former Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn envisioned when the Cowboys drafted Wright out of Oregon State. But Wright’s development curve was slower than expected, and the Cowboys ultimately shifted toward other personnel options.

In Chicago, however, everything clicked. Wright thrived as a full-time starter, showcased improved anticipation in zone coverage, and delivered the kind of opportunistic plays that the Cowboys sorely lacked in 2025.

Given Dallas’ regression in turnovers created — especially after losing Trevon Diggs early in the 2024 season and dealing with inconsistent corner play since — Wright’s ball skills alone would make him a high-value target.

But the financial reality complicates matters.

The Cowboys currently sit more than $30 million over the salary cap, and that figure swelled even further after signing former Pro Bowl running back Javonte Williams to a three-year, $24 million deal.

They still must create additional space for draft picks, potential defensive reinforcements, and the likely franchise tag or long-term deal for star wide receiver George Pickens, whose projected market value is expected to exceed $30 million per year.

Spotrac estimates Wright’s free-agent value at $16.7 million annually, projecting a three-year, $50 million contract — a substantial investment for any team, but especially challenging for one already deep in cap deficit.

The Cowboys do have avenues to create breathing room.

Contracts belonging to Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs all contain restructure mechanisms that could push money into future years.

But restructuring carries long-term risk, and Dallas must determine whether Wright represents the type of player worth making financial concessions for, especially with several needs across the roster.

From a football standpoint, the fit remains strong.

Wright understands the culture in Dallas, maintains a strong relationship with several former teammates, and brings the size-speed profile the Cowboys covet on the outside.

His pairing with Diggs on the boundary would immediately strengthen the Cowboys’ defensive identity, offering a combination of length, playmaking, and man-coverage ability that aligns with Dallas’ established defensive philosophy.

Additionally, the departure of veteran depth players — and the inconsistency from younger corners — makes the need even more pronounced.

Wright also brings versatility.

While he is most comfortable on the boundary, he has demonstrated the ability to play press-man coverage, off-zone structures, and match concepts against taller receivers — all areas where the Cowboys struggled in 2025.

Of course, the Bears remain strong contenders to re-sign him, especially after witnessing firsthand how dramatically he elevated their secondary.

The Seahawks, too, make sense given their preference for long, rangy defensive backs and their uncertain depth behind Devon Witherspoon.

But Dallas offers something no other team can: unfinished business.

A reunion could allow Wright to rewrite his Cowboys chapter, returning as a fully developed, confident version of the player the team once believed he could become.

And for the Cowboys, bringing back a now-polished version of their former third-round pick would represent a rare second chance to capitalize on the investment they made five years ago.

The decision will ultimately come down to financial maneuvering, roster priorities, and whether the Cowboys choose to aggressively address the secondary with an external addition rather than relying on internal growth.

If Dallas can clear enough space, and if Wright’s price remains within striking distance, this reunion could provide a stabilizing force in a defense that desperately needs a turnover-generating presence.

For now, the Cowboys remain a logical — and intriguing — potential destination.

Whether the cap math allows it is another matter entirely.