Minor Additions Wright, McCloud Play Major Roles In Bears’ Secondary

Every spot on a 53-man roster counts. The Bears are demonstrating this with the work they are getting from two cornerbacks they found in the free agent bargain bin, Nahshon Wright and Nick McCloud.

Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon seem likely to return from Injured Reserve in time for Friday’s game in Philadelphia, putting Dennis Allen’s secondary at full strength for the first time since Week 2. They have both been missed, for sure, but Wright and McCloud played well enough in their absence that the Bears have won eight of their last nine games.

Wright, a third-round pick of the Cowboys in 2021, made the defensive play of the game in Sunday’s 31-28 victory over Pittsburgh. His leaping, toe-tapping interception in front of D.K. Metcalf on the Steelers’ first series of the game was his fifth pick of the season, tying him with teammate Kevin Byard for the NFL lead.

No one anticipated Allen’s defense leaning on either Wright or McCloud when general manager Ryan Poles signed them as the free agent market thinned out.

McCloud accepted a one-year, $1.32 million deal on March 25. Wright followed him with a one-year, $1.1 million agreement on April 8. They have turned into critical members of the team that is shockingly leading the NFC North after an 8-3 start.

The two 27-year-olds have played in every game. Wright replaced Johnson as a starter alongside third-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in 10 games. McCloud got four starts — three as a nickel corner and one replacing Stevenson — before Poles picked up 2024 All-Pro C.J Gardner-Johnson in late October. He has played 36-plus defensive snaps in seven games, including 57 against Pittsburgh.

Opponents have targeted Wright with Johnson sidelined after core muscle surgery, which is understandable given the completions that have led to his pedestrian 61.5 coverage grade by Pro Football Focus. But his aggressive style has led to more than his share of big plays, which is why he has been on the field for 665 snaps, only 25 fewer than every-down safeties Jaquan Brisker and Byard.

Credit Poles, Allen and defensive backs coach Al Harris for seeing how Wright and McCloud could fit in an aggressive defense including a lot of man coverage (31.7 percent through Week 11, ranking seventh in the league).

McCloud was as obscure as a player could be entering the off-season. He wasn’t drafted after playing four years at North Carolina State and one at Notre Dame, and was waived or released four times in his first four NFL seasons. He’s played more defensive snaps this season than he had in his four seasons passing through the Bills, Bengals, Giants and 49ers.

Wright spent three years as a depth piece in Dallas before the Cowboys traded him to the Vikings late in training camp last year. He spent the 2024 season on the Vikings’ practice squad but Poles grabbed him only one day after the Vikings released him. He did so on the recommendation of Harris, who coached Wright in Dallas.

At 6-4, almost 200 pounds, Wright is unusually large for a cornerback. He’s a product of Oakland’s Laney College, which was nicknamed “Last Chance U.” in a Netflix documentary. He broke down on the field two weeks ago after Laney’s coach, John Beam, died following an on-campus shooting.

“He meant the world to me,” Wright told reporters after the Bears’ 19-17 victory over Minnesota. “When my dad was killed, he came to my house and got me out (of) bed. “(He was) someone I could confide in, someone that I just, I love dearly. We talked once a week, easily.’

Wright’s season at Laney got him a chance at Oregon State, where he played well enough to land a spot in the NFL Combine. He’s been a late bloomer as a pro but is playing well enough in his first year as a starter that the Bears are moving toward a decision — Stevenson or Wright.

While Wright’s PFF grade is 72nd among 110 qualified cornerbacks, he is playing his best in November. He ranked first on the Chicago defense in PFF grades against Pittsburgh, putting up an elite 88.0 coverage grade while holding Metcalf to 22 receiving yards.

Stevenson has carried more responsibility than Wright, inheriting the role of shadowing No. 1 receivers with Johnson out. He’s been solid, with elite marks for coming up to assist in run defense, but his coverage grade from PFF ranks 92nd among 111 qualifying cornerbacks.

With Johnson in the second year of his four-year, $76-million extension, it seems unlikely Stevenson can play his way into a big contract without leaving the Bears through trade or free agency. Wright’s emergence should help Poles have some flexibility when he’s making decisions for 2026 and beyond.

For now, Wright and McCloud will give the secondary a rare surplus once Johnson and Gordon return. Factor in the presence of Stevenson, Gardner-Johnson, Byard and Brisker and that’s eight players for five spots.

Suddenly the Bears’ defensive backfield is looking like a strength as December approaches. That’s a good sign for an upwardly mobile team with its eyes set on the postseason.