Practice Squad Player Leads NFL in Takeaways, Makes Pro Bowl

A player who spent most of last year on a practice squad just became one of the NFL's most decorated defenders.

Nahshon Wright, a 27-year-old cornerback for the Chicago Bears, was named to the 2026 Pro Bowl on Monday. His selection caps off a remarkable journey from football's sidelines to its biggest stage.

Wright appeared in just one game during the entire 2024 season while bouncing between practice squads. The Vikings released him after the season ended, and Chicago signed him as a depth player with little fanfare.

Then everything changed. When Bears starter Jaylon Johnson went down with an injury, Wright stepped into the starting lineup and immediately made plays that turned heads across the league.

He finished the 2025 season leading the entire NFL with eight takeaways, including five interceptions. Those five picks tied for second in the league and first among all cornerbacks, matching fellow Pro Bowler Kevin Byard's total.

Wright's interceptions weren't just stats. They directly contributed to Chicago's signature comeback victories throughout the season, helping the Bears claim the NFC North division title.

His performance was so dominant that when Johnson returned from injury, the coaches kept Wright in the starting lineup. He had earned his spot through pure playmaking ability.

Why This Inspires

Wright's story reminds us that opportunities can arrive when we least expect them. In his previous four NFL seasons with Dallas and Minnesota, he started only three games total. Most players would have given up hope of ever becoming a starter, let alone a Pro Bowl selection.

Instead, Wright stayed ready. He used his practice squad time to refine his skills, study film, and prepare for a chance that seemed unlikely to come. When that door finally cracked open, he didn't just walk through it. He kicked it wide open.

Originally a third-round pick by Dallas in 2021, Wright is proof that draft position and early career struggles don't define a player's ceiling. Perseverance, preparation, and seizing the moment can rewrite any story.

Chicago's faith in a player most teams overlooked paid off in spectacular fashion. Wright will now represent the Bears at the Pro Bowl, standing alongside the game's elite defenders as an equal.

Every comeback starts with someone refusing to quit.