The Cincinnati Bengals are going to be active this offseason in finding a new safety. Geno Stone is a free agent and the Bengals have been searching for steady safety play since letting Jessie Bates walk in free agency in 2023.
The popular name being connected has been Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, via the draft. Downs is a do-it-all safety who is incredibly athletic and one of the players in this draft who will instantly make a defense that much better.
But free agency could also very well be an option for the Bengals at the position. One name that popped up Sunday in an article by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that could be a potential name to watch is Indianapolis Colts free-agent safety Nick Cross.
Cross, 24, has played in all but one game in his four seasons with the Colts. That includes starting all 17 games in each of the last two seasons, with last season coming under the guidance of former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Cross played 1,111 snaps last season, which was second among all safeties. He posted 120 tackles in 2025, following 146 in 2024, with five tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defended, and one forced fumble.
Cross played more near the line of scrimmage last season with the addition of Camryn Bynum. He has shown to be a very solid player in both the run and the pass, grading well in tackling and in coverage.
Cross is likely to see a contract worth somewhere around $8 million to $10 million per year. That’s not a bad price for a team with over $47 million in cap space. It also wouldn’t stop them from drafting Downs, if he is available, and pair him with Cross and taking over for Jordan Battle.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: A closer look at one of Bengals’ top reported free-agent targets
Reporting by Billy Riccette, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
