It’s not exactly death or taxes, but the Cincinnati Bengals are virtually guaranteed to sign a safety when NFL free agency opens.

Cincinnati is moving on from Geno Stone after two years, and while both the front office and coaching staff are bullish on incumbent starter Jordan Battle, the need to find a better long-term partner next to him is dire. There are also a plethora of quality safeties set to be available, making the opportunity to upgrade from Stone as prime as it could be.

The mystery is simply which safety will the Bengals target? We now have a name to consider on the eve of the tampering window.

Bengals have their eyes on Colts safety Nick Cross

Indianapolis Colts S Nick Cross has “been linked” to the Bengals according to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler. Cincinnati is set to target all three levels of its defense in free agency, and Cross seems to be one of its top targets at that position.

“The team that could prove most aggressive on the defensive free agent market is Cincinnati, which is exploring just about every position group. Edge rusher Rashan Gary is a name to watch here should the Packers move on. New Bengals defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery was with Gary in Green Bay. Cincinnati has been linked to safety Nick Cross and several defensive linemen, too.” — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler

One of this year’s youngest impending free agents, the 24-year old Cross has started the last two years for Indianapolis. The former third-round pick went from playing 414 snaps during his first two seasons to starting all 17 games in 2024. He played equally in the box as he did playing half-field and post safety that season while also averaging over 10 snaps per game as a cornerback/slot defender.

Cross remained a starter in 2025 during the first year of former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s current run as Indy’s DC, but his snap usage changed and his coverage stats dropped a bit.

Cross’s case for being a likely Bengals signing

Fowler’s reporting has plenty of logic behind it. Cross is a former mid-round pick who has only recently become a starter. He’s not only coming off his rookie contract and therefore has never successfully negotiated guaranteed money in his deal outside of a signing bonus, he also won’t turn 25 until right before the regular season.

Young, ascending starter who can potentially be signed without future guaranteed salaries is the exact description of a Bengals free agent signing. Cross has profile congruencies with other free agents Cincy has signed in recent years. Even Stone himself was 24 years old and a one-year starter when he signed in 2024 from the Baltimore Ravens.

The safety signed by the Bengals may not be one of the highest paid. Kamren Curl’s three-year extension with the Los Angeles Rams will pay him an average of $12 million per year in new money. That sets the floor for the safeties with a chance to eclipse him on the market such as Kansas City Chiefs’ Bryan Cook, who would be the crown jewel for Cincinnati, and according to Fowler, the New York Jets.

“The Jets and Bengals come up often in conversations about safeties at or toward the top of the market. Kansas City’s Bryan Cook remains a key figure in this market. The Chiefs could look to backfill at the position if they lose Cook, too.” — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler

Interest in Cross makes sense as an intriguing option should the market grow more expensive than than Cincy is considering paying. He certainly fits the profile from all angles. It would be no surprise to see this pairing form officially this week.

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