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Commanders' Under-the-Radar Safety Signing Leaves Eagles Envious
Washington's addition of Nick Cross could have been a perfect fit for Philadelphia's young secondary.
Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:36pm
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The Philadelphia Eagles have lost several key defensive players in free agency, including safety Reed Blankenship. Meanwhile, their NFC East rival Washington Commanders made a savvy under-the-radar signing by bringing in safety Nick Cross on a two-year deal. Cross, a 24-year-old who has started the last two seasons for the Indianapolis Colts, would have been an ideal fit for the Eagles' young secondary, leaving Philly fans feeling a bit of envy over the Commanders' smart move.
Why it matters
The Eagles are in a transition phase on defense, having lost several starters, while the Commanders are looking to bolster their secondary. Cross' combination of youth, starting experience, and solid run defense would have been a valuable addition for the Eagles, who are now left to address the position through the draft.
The details
Cross, who is from the Washington D.C. area, signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Commanders, with $6 million guaranteed. Last season with the Colts, he recorded 120 combined tackles, 6 QB hits, 5 tackles for loss, 5 pass deflections, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. While his coverage grades have been inconsistent, he has shown improvement and would have been an upgrade over the Eagles' current safety options of Marcus Epps and J.T. Gray.
- Cross signed with the Commanders on March 15, 2026.
- The Eagles lost safety Reed Blankenship in free agency earlier this offseason.
The players
Nick Cross
A 24-year-old safety who has started the last two seasons for the Indianapolis Colts, recording over 120 combined tackles in each of those seasons.
Reed Blankenship
A former Eagles safety who departed the team in free agency this offseason.
Marcus Epps
An Eagles safety who was recently re-signed to a one-year deal and is penciled in as a starter next to Andrew Mukuba.
J.T. Gray
An Eagles special teams contributor who has also seen some playing time at safety.
Andrew Mukuba
A young safety who is part of the Eagles' rebuilding secondary along with Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen.
What’s next
The Eagles will likely address the safety position in the upcoming NFL Draft, hoping to find a player who can step in and contribute immediately alongside their young defensive backs.
The takeaway
While the Commanders made a savvy under-the-radar signing in Nick Cross, the Eagles are left to fill the void left by the departure of Reed Blankenship through the draft. This signing highlights the ongoing rivalry between the two NFC East teams as they look to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season.
