While Sam Darnold has been thriving this season as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, he's not the only player the Minnesota Vikings are likely kicking themselves for moving on from during the last year.
Back in April, the Vikings quietly made the decision to release cornerback Nahshon Wright. Few thought much of it at the time, but fast forward to now, and Wright is in the middle of a career-best season with the Chicago Bears.
On his own, Wright has generated eight turnovers this year in a Bears uniform, which is only one fewer than the total number of turnovers Minnesota's entire defense has been able to force this season (nine).
Former Minnesota Vikings CB Nahshon Wright succeeding in first season with Chicago Bears
Before the start of the 2024 season, the Vikings executed a trade that sent corner Andrew Booth Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys. In exchange for Booth, Minnesota acquired Wright, who had been in the league since 2021 when the Cowboys selected him with a third-round draft pick.
With the Vikings in the 2024 season, Wright only appeared in one game, and the rest of his time with the organization was spent on the practice squad.
Following the 2024 campaign, Minnesota signed him to a reserve/futures contract. Eventually, Wright was released by the Vikings in April, and only one day after his departure from the Twin Cities, he signed a contract with Chicago.
He's turned out to be a great pick-up by the Bears this offseason. In 12 games with Chicago this year, Wright has accumulated 54 tackles, 10 pass breakups, five interceptions (including a 74-yard pick-six off of Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Week 1), and three fumble recoveries.
In addition, opposing signal-callers only have a 74.9 passer rating and a 58.2 completion percentage when throwing in his direction this season, which are both better marks than what Vikings cornerbacks Isaiah Rodgers (88.2 and 59.6) and Byron Murphy (100.2 and 61.8) have allowed heading into Week 13.
For whatever reason, Minnesota didn't think Wright was worth keeping around, and now, just like their decision to move on from Darnold, it's fair to make the claim that the choice has come back to bite them.