The Cincinnati Bengals needed to upgrade the safety spot in the 2024 offseason. They ended up reeling in a past division rival to fill the need.
Geno Stone goes from preparing to go up against Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Co. with the Baltimore Ravens to joining them on the same squad. It’s time to take a closer look at the newest member of Cincy’s defensive backfield.
Who Is New Bengals Safety Geno Stone?
Stone comes over fresh off a career year with the rival Ravens.
The 5’11”, 210-pound safety snatched seven interceptions for a defense that surrendered the fewest points in the league. And one of the quarterbacks he picked off? Burrow himself on Sept. 17.
But outside of establishing himself as a stout ballhawk, Stone has become quite the underdog story.
He’s a one-time seventh-round draft find by Baltimore. Stone was taken 219th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. That was the same class that featured Burrow going first overall. Stone was also part of the same class that featured Kamren Curl, Xavier McKinney, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Grant Delpit.
Stone entered the league out of Iowa. He played three seasons with the Hawkeyes and tallied six career interceptions. He also produced 126 career tackles, including 80 solo stops.
Stone’s Contract Details
When Baltimore drafted him, Stone was handed a four-year deal worth approximately $3.4 million.
So what are the Bengals giving him? It’s naturally a notable step up from his rookie deal.
Stone was rewarded with a two-year contract that pays him $14 million. This includes a $3 million signing bonus.
Also, Stone will earn $7 million annually with $6 million guaranteed. He’ll also carry a base salary of $1.125 million for 2024, per Spotrac.
Lastly, Stone’s deal involves a potential opt-out for 2025 — which includes a dead cap figure of $1.5 million.
Stone’s Career Stats
So, was 2023 the only season in which Stone recorded some picks? Turns out it was one of two campaigns that saw him snatch the ball.
Before his breakout 2023 season, his last interception occurred on Jan. 9, 2022, against the Pittsburgh Steelers — the regular-season finale of the 2021 campaign.
But he raised his game another notch in 2023. Outside of Burrow, the other notable star quarterbacks he picked off were Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, and Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks. That’s four different Pro Bowl passers Stone intercepted.
When Stone wasn’t frustrating QBs, he was busy improving his tackle numbers each season. In 2021, he collected 21 tackles with 15 solo stops. But those numbers rose to 38 tackles, including 34 solo, in 2022. Then, in 2023, Stone produced 68 tackles, including 44 individual stops.
Overall, Stone improved all of his numbers last season, even deflecting a career-high nine passes. Stone also started a career-high 11 games last season. He’s logged 19 career starts in 51 games played.
KEEP READING: Best Remaining Free Agents
By joining the Bengals, he gives Cincy an option at both strong and free safety, having played both spots in his NFL career. He comes into a safety room that produced only three interceptions in 2023.
But he’s also heading to a division rival after emerging from the Ravens’ defense last year, which prompted a humorous “You’re dead to us, you’re dead to me” response from former QB teammate Lamar Jackson.
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