Commanders’ Nick Cross talks Washington homecoming, Jayden Daniels, Sonny Styles and more

Nick Cross is from the DMV. He was born in Bowie, Maryland. He attended DeMatha Catholic High and then went to the University of Maryland.

After four years with the Indianapolis Colts, Cross has come back home. That was assured this spring, withatwo-year, $13 million contractin free agency. The Washington Commandersacquiredan every-down safety withover 1,000 snaps in each of the past two years.

He'llbe a staple ofnew coordinator Daronte Jones' system, a team leader Washington desperately needs during its ongoing get-younger-and-faster initiative. Cross talkedabout hishomecomingduring a Monday interview onUp and AdamsShowwith Kay Adams, among other topics.And it sure sounds likehe'llwear No. 25, despite wearingNo. 20 in Indy andNo. 3 at Maryland.Quan Martin has No.20and Will Harris has No. 3, andhe'snot currently willing to part with it.(Don'tbuy a jersey just yet. These number exchanges take timeand money).

Here'swhatelseCross revealed about this upcoming season:

On his return to the DMV

I lived and died with Washington. That was my team. I used to cry when theywould lose. ...They were my team through and through.It'sgood to be able to come back home and play for them.

...Parents were excited. Everyone has been excited for me to be playing for the team I grew up rooting for. There will be a lot of eyes on me, for sure, just off the sure fact thatI'mplaying for the team that everybodyroots for."

Nick Cross says he used to cry as a kid when the Commanders lost...

Now, he's coming back home @Nick_Cross26 | @Commanders | @heykayadamspic.twitter.com/Rv2a5VQY3C

- Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 4, 2026

What he wants Commanders fans to knowabout him

There'snothing on the field Ican'tdo. I stop the run. People sit there and ask about coverage...I tell people that I take the ball away, too. I had four picks in the last two years, two forced fumbles, so theball comes back to our sideline whenI'mon the field.They'regettinga versatilesafety, someone who can do it all, someone who can do it alland be great in the locker room, a great leader and a great teammate, someone who is going to have fun playing for the hometown team."

On his Clinton Portis fandom

He was my favorite. I wanted to play running back because of him."

On Jayden Daniels

I met him in L.A. right before free agency and I let him know, like, tell them I want to come home.' He said, Alright, I've got you.'Then I saw him in the locker room the other day and I said, See? I told you.'He'sa great guy and a great quarterback, a great person to be around.I'mexcited to see what he does this season."

On Sonny Styles

He'sa great football player.He'ssideline-to-sideline. His 40(-yard-dash) time speaks for itself.And the tape jumps off as well.Super physical. You knowI'ma big video game guy and in NCAA (Football)he'salways making picks orknocking somebody out.He's definitely a great football player.Conversingwith him over the past coupledaysand weeks,he'sa great person as well.