The retooling of the Jets' defense, and specifically the secondary, brought three new defensive backs to the team in the first wave of free agency and via a trade -- cornerback Nahshon Wright, and safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick (in a deal with Miami) and Dane Belton.

Wright, 27, was stellar last year in his "prove it" season with the Bears. He signed a one-year contract with Chicago after being traded and spending most of the 2024 season on Minnesota's practice squad. He was a third-round selection of the Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oregon State.

In the Windy City, Wright (6-4, 199) appeared in all 17 regular-season games (16 starts), had 11 PDs, 5 INTs (tied for the league lead among CBs), 2 FFs and 3 FR. Those 8 total takeaways were the most in the NFL last season. Wright was the NFC Defensive Player of Month for November after coming up with 5 takeaways in 5 games and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his five-year NFL career. If those numbers weren't enough, Wright also had 80 total tackles (56 solo).

On his drop-in this week at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, Wright told team reporter Susanna Weir that his discussions with HC Aaron Glenn went a long way to him signing on with the Green & White.

"I got a chance to speak with coach AG and we just had a good talk, and it just made sense," Wright said. "It made sense to be here and have an opportunity to prove myself again."

Wright made an immediate impression in his first game for the Bears, by coincidently against the Vikings. He intercepted a J.J. McCarthy pass and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown.

"I think just the hard work that I put in, and then the tremendous coaching staff that they have over there in Chicago also helped me become the player I was and I am," he said.

With Brandon Stephens expected to start at one corner, Wright could compete for the other starting job with second-year man Azareye'h Thomas. Wright's approach with his new team?

"Just continue to work," he said. "Be intentional about my work in practice, and it'll show up in the games."

The fact that Glenn was an elite cornerback during his days in the NFL was not the sole reason Wright opted to sign with the Jets, but it certainly didn't hurt.

"He knows what he wants, and I think when you have a coach that knows what he wants, you're in for a good one," Wright said. "He was a successful cornerback in his own playing career. I think it's good when you have someone who can relate to you and knows what it looks like, and he played it at a high level as well."