The Washington Commanders have wasted no time strengthening their defensive backfield, officially signing safety Nick Cross to a two-year contract worth up to $14 million. The move, finalized as the NFL’s new league year began on March 11, 2026, sees the Commanders add a young, hard-hitting presence to their secondary—one that could help define their defense for years to come.
Cross, a Maryland native, returns to the D.C. area after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Drafted No. 96 overall in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Cross entered the league with a reputation for physicality and big-play potential. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein once described him as “the bouncer of the Maryland defense, playing with the aggression and explosiveness to throw opponents out of the club.” That hard-nosed style never left him, and it’s exactly what the Commanders have been searching for.
During his tenure in Indianapolis, Cross developed from a special teams contributor into a full-time starter. Over 68 games (with 37 starts), he racked up 322 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. His last two seasons saw him start every game, becoming a fixture at strong safety and a tackling machine for the Colts. In 2025 alone, Cross notched 120 combined tackles—second on the team—along with five tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, five pass defenses, and one interception.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Cross in Indy. While he excelled in run support and was frequently deployed as a blitzer, his coverage skills came under scrutiny. According to PFF’s metrics, Cross’s production in coverage dipped in 2025, and he struggled particularly against tight ends. The Colts defense, as a whole, gave up the second-most yards to tight ends in the NFL last season, with Cross allowing a 66.1% completion rate and a 100.1 quarterback rating in coverage, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Still, not everyone saw it the same way—ESPN’s Aaron Schatz noted that by DVOA, Cross performed well in coverage. The debate over his true value in pass defense only added intrigue to his free agency.
Despite the mixed reviews on coverage, Cross’s ability to play in the box and his penchant for splash plays made him a hot commodity on the open market. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ranked Cross as the No. 7 safety and No. 68 overall player among 2026 free agents, writing, “Cross is a box safety who can defend the run and blitz. He ranked third among safeties with 16 pressures last season. He also led all free-agent safeties in splash plays with 30.” Popper added, “He is functional as a deep-half and post safety. He has decent ball skills. But Cross is less instinctive as a coverage player than as a run defender and blitzer.”
Given his age—Cross is still just 24—and his track record, many expected him to command a larger contract. Popper projected a three-year, $21 million deal for the safety this offseason, but the Commanders managed to land him for two years and $14 million, a figure that’s been called a bargain by several analysts. The deal became official at 4 pm ET on March 11, as soon as the new league year opened, and Cross immediately vaulted to the top of Washington’s depth chart.
So, why didn’t the Colts bring him back? The answer comes down to roster construction and resource allocation. Indianapolis invested heavily in the safety position last offseason, signing Cam Bynum to a substantial contract. With pressing needs elsewhere—particularly at linebacker and defensive end—the Colts’ front office decided it was time to move on from Cross. They’re also bullish on second-year safety Hunter Wohler, who missed his rookie season due to a Lisfranc injury but is expected to compete for significant snaps in 2026. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is known for valuing flexibility in his secondary, and the Colts could turn to Wohler or even shift nickelback Kenny Moore II into a hybrid role to fill the void left by Cross’s departure.
For the Commanders, Cross’s arrival couldn’t be better timed. Last season, the team’s defense lacked a true physical presence at safety—a role Cross is tailor-made to fill. He joins a group that already includes Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves, and Will Harris, all of whom are set to become unrestricted free agents in 2027. With defensive coordinator Daronte Jones expected to employ more three-safety looks, Cross’s contract suggests he’ll be heavily utilized, potentially as the leader of the secondary. There’s even speculation that Harris could be released to save cap space, given Cross’s expected impact.
Cross’s versatility is another asset. He’s played nearly 2,300 snaps over the past two years, lining up primarily in the box but also showing the ability to function as a deep-half or post safety. His “chase player” mentality and stopping power near the line of scrimmage have drawn rave reviews since his college days at Maryland. As Zierlein put it, “He seeks to make a statement upon impact and has impressive stopping power near the line or as an open-field tackler.”
Looking back at his career, Cross’s journey has been marked by steady growth and resilience. He started out as a 20-year-old Day 2 draft pick, carving out a role on special teams before breaking through as a starter in 2024. Over four seasons, he’s become known for his durability—starting 34 consecutive games for the Colts—and his ability to deliver game-changing plays. Whether it’s a timely blitz, a forced fumble, or a drive-ending tackle, Cross has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Now, the Commanders are betting that Cross’s best football is still ahead of him. With a new defensive coordinator, an evolving secondary, and the chance to play in front of hometown fans, Cross has every incentive to take his game to another level. The Commanders’ defense, which struggled at times last season, suddenly looks a lot more formidable with Cross patrolling the back end.
As the dust settles on the first wave of NFL free agency, one thing is clear: Washington’s secondary just got a whole lot tougher, and Nick Cross is ready to make his mark. With training camp on the horizon and expectations rising, all eyes will be on how Cross fits into his new team’s plans and whether he can help lead the Commanders back to defensive prominence.