The legal tampering period finally opened up on Monday, and there has been a bunch of movement around the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys added to the defensive side of the ball, trading for defensive linemen Rashan Gary, while signing safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke.
Meanwhile, former Cowboys are making changes, and the latest had to do with cornerback Nahshon Wright. SNY's Connor Hughes reported that the New York Jets are signing Wright to a one-year, $3.5 million fully guaranteed contract, with the ability to hit $5.5 million with incentives.
After spending the 2025 season with the Bears and having a career-year, he got a deal that was significantly less than what he was projected to.
Ex-Cowboys CB Nahshon Wright's New Contract Is a Surprise (Or Is It?)
The Athletic predicted that Wright would land a three-year, $40.5 million deal. Meanwhile, Spotrac projected he'd get a three-year, $50 million deal. Many believed he would get at least $13.5 million in average annual value, making the Jets' contract a bargain at first glance.
While Wright did put up career-best numbers in 2025, there's much-needed context. He started in 16 games, logging 80 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. In addition, he was tied for second in the NFL in interceptions (5). He certainly found the football, and that typically leads to a massive payday, but he left some things to be desired in coverage.
When he wasn't taking the ball away, Wright was usually giving up a catch. Per Pro Football Focus, he was fifth among CBs in receiving yards allowed (800) and tied for ninth in catches allowed (60). In addition to those stats, he was tied for second in touchdowns given up (8).
Wright was a high-variance cornerback who consistently surrendered catches, leading to his market value being lower than anticipated. NFL teams clearly aren't sure if he can replicate his 2025 performance, especially when that was the only notable performance the ex-Cowboy has had so far.
He spent three seasons in Dallas (2021-2023), appearing in 32 games (three starts). In those outings, he had just 37 total tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception. Wright was never able to find his footing in Dallas, which is why the Cowboys traded him to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Andrew Booth in 2024.
Wright will have a chance to compete for a starting job in New York and showcase that last season wasn't a fluke. Despite the success he saw in the Windy City, he wasn't able to cash in as expected, and that's a turn that fans didn't see coming when free agency started for the former Cowboy.