The Bengals have not made any splashy strikes in free company, however they’ve added a number of gamers who ought to play key roles for them in 2024.
ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz believes certainly one of Cincinnati’s newest additions got here at a steal, naming former Ravens security Geno Stone the “greatest discount signing of free company.”
“Stone had a breakout season in 2023, and this was an actual place of want for Cincinnati,” Schatz writes. “The Bengals have been capable of steal from a division rival, and if Stone for some cause would not play effectively in 2024, they’ll get out of the contract with simply $1.5 million in useless cash.”
The Bengals signed Stone to a two-year, $15 million contract with simply $6 million in complete ensures, which is kind of the deal coming off a breakout 12 months.
Final season, the 24-year-old had the second-most interceptions (seven) within the league together with a career-high 68 tackles and 9 passes defensed.
If Baltimore was capable of retain Stone, it doubtless would have. Normal supervisor Eric DeCosta stated that he believes Stone is the “best seventh-round pick in Ravens history.” Nonetheless, the Ravens have been wage cap-strapped all offseason and have misplaced a number of gamers because of this.
As for Cincinnati, it’s including Stone to an already younger and proficient secondary, which incorporates cornerbacks Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II and safeties Dax Hill and Jordan Battle.
The place Stone suits into the combo is to be decided with Hill and Battle seeing elevated taking part in time final season, however it’d be shocking if he wasn’t within the beginning lineup on a weekly foundation. A surplus of proficient gamers is not a nasty downside to have.
The Bengals protection allowed the fifth-most passing yards per sport (248.4) final season. So, including to their secondary with a productive participant like Stone felt needed.
Who would have thought he would have come at such an inexpensive value?
