The Cincinnati Bengals lost a player to the Buffalo Bills last week.
The Cincinnati Bengals saw another defensive contributor depart during NFL free agency as the roster continues to shift heading into the new season. Several veterans reached the end of their contracts following the 2025 campaign, forcing the organization to evaluate which pieces would remain part of the team’s long‑term plans.
Geno Stone became available on the open market had played an important role in Cincinnati’s secondary over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old veteran safety appeared in every game during his Bengals tenure, starting 17 games in each season and providing durability for a defense that dealt with multiple injuries around the unit.
Before arriving in Cincinnati, the defensive back spent the first four seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens after being selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His experience in Baltimore helped him develop into a reliable contributor in the secondary, particularly with his ability to create turnovers and make plays in coverage.
Now Stone's next opportunity will come in the AFC East as he is heading to Buffalo to join the Bills. “Sources: The #Bills are signing former #Bengals S Geno Stone to a 1‑year deal,” reported Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report last week.
Stone finished the 2025 season with a career‑high 104 tackles, ranking third on the Bengals defense. While his season had some inconsistencies, including criticism at times for missed tackles, he remained one of the team’s most dependable defenders thanks to his availability and workload.
One of the biggest highlights of his Bengals tenure came in Week 12 against the New England Patriots, when Stone intercepted a pass against Drake Maye and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. The play marked the Bengals first defensive score of the season and the second pick‑six of Stone’s NFL career.
Buffalo’s decision to add Stone continues an aggressive effort to reshape the secondary. The Bills have been active during free agency as they attempt to reinforce the defensive backfield ahead of the upcoming season.
For Cincinnati, Stone’s departure removes a player who consistently stayed on the field during his two years with the franchise. His reliability and experience helped stabilize a defense that struggled at times but showed improvement late in the season.
Now, as Stone begins the next chapter of his career in Buffalo, the Bengals will look to fill another vacancy in their secondary while continuing to reshape the roster for the 2026 season. Cincinnati has plenty of work to do in improving one of the league's worst defenses.