New free agent addition named Washington Commanders' biggest bust candidate for 2026

New free agent addition named Washington Commanders' biggest bust candidate for 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A new addition has been named the biggest bust candidate for the Washington Commanders in 2026. 

Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently predicted every team's biggest bust for the '26 season, and safety Nick Cross was the pick for Washington. 

Nick Cross named Chiefs biggest bust candidate for 2026 

Moton pointed to Cross' consistent struggles in coverage as the main reason why the Commanders could come to regret signing him to a two-year, $13 million deal in free agency. 

"With more playing time, Cross' lapses in coverage became apparent. Since 2024, he's given up nine touchdowns while allowing passer ratings above 99 in back-to-back terms," Moton wrote.

"The Washington Commanders needed a reliable coverage defender at safety in center field alongside Will Harris, who's allowed passer ratings above 105 in five out of seven seasons. On a new two-year, $13 million deal, Cross won't fill that role adequately." 

This story will be updated. 

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