The Indianapolis Colts will lose a core member of the 2025 defense.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced that safety Nick Cross has signed a contract with the Washington Commanders.
Cross was a core member of the Colts defense that was plagued by injuries under the first-year defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
The safety started all 17 games for Indianapolis in the 2025 season, registering 120 total tackles, 1 interception, 5 pass deflections and 2.5 sacks. Cross recorded over 250 tackles in his last two seasons for Indianapolis.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero revealed that the safety signed a two-year deal worth up to $14 million.
Having only missed one game in his career, Nick Cross will be a reliable gameday option for the Commanders’ defense.
Colts Lose Safety Duo
GettyIndianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum
The Indianapolis Colts secondary, primarily the cornerback position, took a beating in the 2025 season.
Charvarius Ward, who signed a $54 million contract in the 2025 free agency, suffered three concussions during the season and had to be sidelined for the rest of the season.
Sauce Gardner, who was acquired at the trade deadline, suffered a calf injury and featured in four games for Indianapolis.
Xavien Howard joined Indy on a one-year deal, playing in four games for the organization before retiring to take care of his family and kids.
Safeties Nick Cross and Cam Bynum were the only consistent members of the Colts’ secondary to play for the team in Shane Steichen’s third season as head coach.
“Every day he goes out and plays hard, studies hard, knows a lot because he’s called to play a lot of different positions,” Bynum said of Cross, via the Colts. “He just takes everything that he does really serious. So I think it’s cool to be able to play with a player like that, that’s smart and also versatile.”
“Every time coach draws up a blitz for him, he seems to get back there… Even if it’s not for a sack, it’s for a pressure or just making the quarterback get the ball out even faster… It’s been fun to play with him.”
Replacements for Nick Cross
GettyShane Steichen’s defense suffers a huge blow
After retaining Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, the Indianapolis Colts don’t have too many resources available to use in free agency to acquire a quality starter.
Without a first-round selection, the Colts will likely have to look at Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft to find a long-term suitor for the safety spot next to Cam Bynum.
Indy’s first selection of the draft is at the 47th overall pick. With a draft that is dominated by defensive and offensive linemen, safeties could fall into the second round and allow the Colts to find an option for Lou Anarumo’s defense.
Colts Lose 322-Tackle Safety to Commanders