Colts' Strong Safety Spot Open, Hunter Wohler Eyes Starting Role

0:00On March 31st, the Indianapolis Colts got a gap in their secondary after letting strong safety Nick Cross walk to Washington on a two-year deal worth. 13 million overall, with over 6 million guaranteed, they saw it as too pricey to match, even though Cross grew into a solid starter here. Now, that strong safety spot is wide open while the rest of the back-ends stay stacked with Talon. Colts GM, Chris Ballard praised Cross's growth at just 24 years old and wished him well, saying they can only keep so many guys. Coach Shane Steichen made it clear, everyone's competing for reps back there, no handouts. The team's eyeing internal options first, skipping big free agent splashes unless the draft changes things. Hunter Woller, their seventh round pick from last year, tops the list to step up. He flashed big and training camp as a safety and dime back before a list-front injury sidelineed him all season. Ballard and the staff rave about his potential, and they've been hyping him alongside corner-back

1:00Justin Wolley at league meetings. They also brought in Wanye Thomas from Dallas and Jonathan Owens from Chicago to mix it up. Thomas, a big six-foot-three safety, started a few games last year before a nerve issue, and he fits the run-stuffing mold Cross had. New DC, Lew and Arumo, loves versatile pieces for his packages, so Woller could slide inside while these vets push for the gig. With pro-bowl corners like Kenny Moore the second and free safety camera and binom, locking down the top after his four-year 60-million-packed, whoever. When's this battle joins a elite group? Competition's brewing hard this off-season, and the young bloods got the coaches fired up for what's next. I'm Cory with the story, and you've been listening to NFL News today. AI-powered football coverage.