The Indianapolis Colts started their 2025 season off as the hottest team in the league, and one of the biggest contributors to their early success was none other than breakout young player Nick Cross. Cross is the type of player that Indy would love to keep in their building, but unfortunately, with how many pending free agent decisions they have, he may price himself out of their range.
Indy has the looming Daniel Jones decision to make, and that's not even to mention the payday that Alec Pierce is due. Couple those issues with a potential Braden Smith extension, and it becomes more and more possible that Nick Cross finds himself to be the odd man out.
Cross is due an opportunity to cash in, and while fans would love to see him return as a Colt next year, he may leave for greener pastures. So, if he does end up leaving, what are the potential best destinations for him?
Three places where could Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross end up in 2026
Destination 1: The Minnesota Vikings
Maybe the landing spot that makes the most sense for a player like Cross, Minnesota, could end up signing the young safety to a worthy contract come free agency. The Vikings' room at strong safety could end up in dire need should longtime veteran Harrison Smith end up retiring before the 2026 season.
There is still the draft, but outside of Smith, right now, the room consists of Joshua Metellus and Kahlef Hailassie. Brian Flores is one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL, and at every major role he's coached at, his defense has featured an elite safety.
In Miami, it was Jevon Holland. In Pittsburgh, Minkah Fitzpatrick was the answer. Thus far into his tenure in Minnesota, Harrison Smith has been the premier safety on the team. Flores is known for his exotic defenses, and adding a player of the caliber of Nick Cross to the defense could end up being a major move in allowing the team to take another step forward.
Destination 2: The Tennessee Titans
This would be one of the most painful Nick Cross destinations for Colts fans to stomach, but unfortunately, it makes a lot of sense. Gus Bradley was Indianapolis' defensive coordinator when Cross was drafted, and he was recently made defensive coordinator of the Titans.
That means there is familiarity there, even if head coach Robert Saleh will be the one ultimately calling the plays. Couple that with the Titans having one of the largest amounts of cap space in the NFL and no solidified players at safety outside of Amani Hooker, and it could end up being enough for Tennessee and Cross to come to an agreement.
It would be tough to see a fan favorite sign with a division rival, but ultimately, money talks. If the Titans are willing to pay enough for Nick Cross' services and he already has familiarity with the coaching staff, he may just end up playing against the Colts twice a year come 2026.
Destination 3: The Washington Commanders
Speaking of teams with a lot of cap space, the Commanders will also have a good chunk of money to spend in the 2026 free agency period. 2025 was about as nightmarish a season as could have happened for them after being just one game away from the Super Bowl in 2024.
Luckily for them, 2026 allows them to pivot away from the mistakes they made in 2025. A lot of the issues on the team were caused by signing aging veterans to large contracts, and the Commanders could look to infuse some youth into the defense in the form of Cross.
The starting strong safety on Washington's roster right now is Jeremy Reaves, a quality player but by no means a star. Adding Cross would allow Washington to get younger and add a talented leader to the defense in one fell swoop.
Ultimately, Colts fans don't want to see Nick Cross leave the organization at all. Ideally, he dons the blue and white yet again in 2026 as a Colt, but the reality is that the team can't resign all of their impending free agents. Hopefully, Nick Cross doesn't land at any destination but Indianapolis, but should he choose to go elsewhere, these are three of the most likely spots.