Wright, 28, surprised expectations last season, posting 80 tackles, two forced fumbles, five interceptions, and 11 pass deflections after signing a one-year, $1.1 million deal. Yet Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport casts Wright as a potential “bust waiting to happen in 2026,” arguing that a $15 million-per-year salary would be poor roster-building unless Wright proves to be more than a one-year outlier.
Davenport notes that Wright’s gaudy interception total in 2025 may have been an outlier, pointing to targeted plays (98) and multiple touchdowns allowed (about six) as caution flags. He suggests teams may view Wright as a late bloomer, but likely not a three-year, $50 million bet given his modest starting role earlier in his career.
Wright has expressed a desire to remain with Chicago, praising his late-season development under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and indicating he’d love to return if the opportunity arises. For the Bears, though, cap space remains a major hurdle. As of mid-February, the team sat with negative $5.3 million in available cap space, according to OverTheCap, limiting options unless they restructure or cut players to clear room.
Poles faces a challenging set of offseason decisions beyond Wright, including the potential re-signing of safeties Kevin Byard or Jaquan Brisker, shoring up the defensive line, and extending All-Pro right tackle Darnell Wright. With a 2026 draft cycle on the horizon and a corps of returning corners—Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and Terell Smith—already in the mix, Wright’s future in Chicago hinges on how the Bears balance short-term cap relief with long-term defensive investments.
