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Safety Nick Cross signed a 2-year, $13 million contract with the Washington Commanders.
The Washington Commanders have made several notable roster and staffing changes this season. In free agency, they spent the third-most money across the league while signing 15 new contracts. One of their newest additions was former Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross. Cross made an appearance on Kay Adams’ Up & Adams show and sent a strong message to Washington fans who were weary or unfamiliar with his game.
When asked about what he wants fans to know, Cross responded with, “I would say there’s a level of versatility. I feel like there’s nothing on the field I can’t do…I stop the run…You know, I remember I think a dude commented on an Instagram post about needing somebody to cover, and I was like, you know, sir, I take the ball away too. You know I have four picks in the last two years, you know, two forced fumbles. So the ball comes back to our sideline, you know, when I’m on the field. So, I feel like you’re getting a versatile safety, someone who can do it all, and someone who’s going to be great in the locker room, a great leader, and a great teammate. Someone who’s going to have fun playing for the hometown team.”
Cross was a third-round pick in 2022 out of the University of Maryland and developed into one of the best tackling safeties over the past three seasons.
GettySafety Nick Cross recorded 120 total tackles, 10 run stuffs, five passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, a pick, and a forced fumble for the Indianapolis Colts last season.
Kay Adams pointed out that Cross has the most run stops among defensive backs over the last two seasons, and he is only behind Budda Baker in tackles recorded over the same span.
Cross’s athleticism will provide Washington’s defense with a steady force on the backend that they desperately needed last season.
Cross isn’t the only addition Washington made to their secondary this offseason. They also signed cornerbacks Amik Robertson from the Detroit Lions and Akhelo Witherspoon from the Los Angeles Rams. All these moves were made in hopes of bolstering a defense that ranked third-worst in coverage last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Cross, Robertson, and Witherspoon are only three of the 10 new defenders Washington brought in through free agency and the draft. The team committed early on to rebuilding their defense, which ranked 27th overall in 2025, by hiring Daronte Jones to be their new coordinator. Jones comes from a Minnesota Vikings defense that was first in blitz and pressure rate last year.
A reminder of where Daronte Jones comes from…
The Vikings last year:
46.3% blitz rate (First) 41.4% pressure rate (First) 2.57 seconds to avg. pressure (First) -.21 EPA/pass allowed (Second) 1,577 YAC allowed (Third) 9.3% sack rate (Third) 5.4 YPA allowed (Sixth)
Washington’s influx of new talent has centered around youth and athleticism. Behind Jones’ scheme and first-round pick linebacker Sonny Styles, the Commanders’ defense is expected to be far more aggressive and imposing in 2026.
Commanders fans won’t have to wait long to witness their new additions take the field for the first time. Rookie Minicamp begins May 8th, which will then be followed up by OTAs from May 27-29, June 2-4, before finishing up on June 9-11. The offseason workouts will then pause following Mandatory Minicamp on June 16-18.
Justin Platt NFL MultiMedia Journalist and Writer at Heavy Sports More about Justin Platt
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