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Geno Stone
View on WikipediaParts of this article (those related to Cincinnati Bengals and NFL career statistics) need to be updated. The reason given is: 2025 has not been added. (November 2025) |
Geno Stone (born April 19, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Stone grew up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and attended New Castle Junior/Senior High School, where he played wide receiver, quarterback, and defensive back on the football team and was also a member of the basketball and track & field teams. He was named first-team All-State as a senior after recording 97 tackles with 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, and 10 interceptions.[1] A 2-star recruit, Stone initially committed to play college football at Kent State over offers from Ball State, Buffalo, Delaware, and Miami (OH), among others, but he flipped his commitment to Iowa after receiving a late offer from the school.[2][3]
College career
[edit]Stone played in all 13 of Iowa's games as a true freshman, appearing mostly on special teams and finishing the season with 17 tackles and one interception.[4] He became a starter during his sophomore year, recording 39 tackles with a forced fumble, three passes broken up and four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference.[5][6] As a junior, Stone recorded 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four passes broken up, three forces fumbles, one interception, and one fumble recovery and was named second-team All-Big Ten.[7][8] Following the end of the season Stone declared to enter the 2020 NFL draft, forgoing his final year of NCAA eligibility.[9]
Professional career
[edit]Pre-draft
[edit]NFL analyst Matt Miller of Bleacher Report ranked Stone as the 12th best safety prospect in the draft.[10] NFL draft analysts projected him to be possibly drafted as early as the third round to as late as the fifth round.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 10+3⁄8 in (1.79 m) |
207 lb (94 kg) |
29+1⁄4 in (0.74 m) |
9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) |
4.62 s | 1.59 s | 2.64 s | 33.5 in (0.85 m) |
9 ft 8 in (2.95 m) |
12 reps | |||
| All values from NFL Combine[11][12] | ||||||||||||
Baltimore Ravens (first stint)
[edit]| External videos | |
|---|---|
The Baltimore Ravens selected Stone in the seventh round (219th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. He was the 19th safety drafted.[13]
"Geno might be the best seventh-round pick that we've ever had – playmaker, attitude, special teams, [He had] just an excellent season [in 2023]. He has been cut, been brought back. I love his cerebral nature, [and] I love his attitude on the field. He fancies himself an overachiever; I love that about him."[14]
On May 7, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens signed Stone to a four–year, $3.40 million contract that includes an initial signing bonus of $107,155.[15]
Throughout training camp, Stone competed for a role as a backup safety against Anthony Levine and Jordan Richards. Head coach John Harbaugh named him a backup free safety to start the season, behind starting safeties DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark.[16]
On October 8, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens waived Stone[17] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[18] On November 8, 2020, Stone made his professional regular season debut during a 24–10 victory at the Indianapolis Colts.[19][20] On November 17, 2020, he was promoted to the active roster.[21] On December 2, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens placed Stone on the reserve/COVID-19 list [22] and activated on December 21.[23] On December 28, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens waived Stone again.[24]
Houston Texans
[edit]On December 29, 2020, the Houston Texans claimed Stone off waivers.[25] He only appeared in two games for the Baltimore Ravens during his rookie season in 2020 and was only limited to special teams.
Baltimore Ravens (second stint)
[edit]2021
[edit]On March 23, 2021, the Baltimore Ravens signed Stone to a one–year, $780,000 contract after the Texans did not extend him a qualifying offer.[26][27] During training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup safety against Anthony Levine, Tony Jefferson, Brandon Stephens, and Ar'Darius Washington. Head coach John Harbaugh named Stone a backup safety to begin the season and he was listed fifth on the depth chart behind DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark, Anthony Levine, and Brandon Stephens.[28]
On September 19, 2021, Stone made his first career tackle during a 36–35 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. Due to numerous injuries to the Ravens' defense, Stone saw increased playing time as the season progressed. On December 19, 2021, Stone earned his first career start and made a season-high seven combined tackles (three solo) during a 30–31 loss to the Green Bay Packers.[29] On January 9, 2022, he recorded two solo tackles, a pass deflection, and made his first career interception off a pass thrown by Ben Roethlisberger to wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud as the Ravens lost 13–16 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Steelers.[30][31] He finished the 2021 NFL season with 21 combined tackles (15 solo), one pass deflection, and one interception in 15 games and one start.[32]
2022
[edit]On March 9, 2022, the Baltimore Ravens placed an exclusive-rights free agent tender on Stone for a one–year, $895,000 contract.[33] Defensive coordinator Don Martindale held a competition to name the starting safeties during training camp following the departures of DeShon Elliott and Anthony Levine and the transitions of Brandon Stephens and Ar'Darius Washington from safety to cornerback. He competed against Tony Jefferson, Chuck Clark, Marcus Williams, and 2022 rookie first-round pick Kyle Hamilton. Head coach John Harbaugh named Stone the third strong safety in the depth chart to begin the season, behind starter Chuck Clark and primary backup Tony Jefferson. Marcus Williams was named the starting free safety with Kyle Hamilton as his backup.[34]
In Week 5, starting free safety Marcus Williams dislocated his wrist during a 19–17 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach John Harbaugh named Stone the starting free safety heading into Week 6.[35] On October 28, 2022, Stone collected a season-high eight solo tackles as the Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns 23–20.[36] In Week 14, Stone was demoted back to a backup safety after Marcus Williams returned from injury to reclaim his starting role. He finished the 2022 NFL season with 38 total tackles (34 solo), one pass defended, and one forced fumble, which he recovered.[37]
2023
[edit]On March 17, 2023, the Baltimore Ravens signed Stone to a one–year, $1.76 million contract that included an initial signing bonus of $750,000.[15] He entered training camp slated as a backup safety and competed for a roster spot against Daryl Worley and Jaquan Amos. Head coach John Harbaugh named Stone a primary backup safety to begin the season, behind starters Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams.
In the Baltimore Ravens' home-opener against the Houston Texans, starting free safety Marcus Williams suffered a torn pectoral. Head coach John Harbaugh subsequently appointed Stone as his replacement at starting free safety. On September 17, 2023, he made his first start of the season and made a season-high nine combined tackles (seven solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Joe Burrow to wide receiver Tee Higgins during a 27–24 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals. On October 15, 2023, he made three combined tackles (one solo), one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Ryan Tannehill during a 24–16 victory at the Tennessee Titans. The following week, he made three solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Jared Goff as the Ravens routed the Detroit Lions 38–6. In Week 8, he recorded four combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Joshua Dobbs during a 31–24 win at the Arizona Cardinals. On November 5, 2023, Stone recorded one solo tackle, a season-high two pass deflections, and had his fourth consecutive game with an interception on a pass thrown by Geno Smith to wide receiver Tyler Lockett as the Ravens routed the Seattle Seahawks 37–3. In Week 17, he produced eight combined tackles (six solo), one pass deflection, and set a career-high with his seventh interception of the season on a pass by Tua Tagovailoa as they defeated the Miami Dolphins 56–19. He finished the 2023 NFL season with a total of 68 combined tackles (44 solo), nine pass deflections, and a career-high seven interceptions in 16 games and 11 starts. He had the second most interceptions in 2023, after Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland.[38]
Cincinnati Bengals
[edit]2024
[edit]On March 11, 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Stone to a two–year, $14 million contract that includes $6 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $3 million.[39] He entered training camp slated as the de facto starting strong safety. Head coach Zac Taylor named Stone and Vonn Bell the starting safeties to start the 2024 NFL season.
In Week 11, he racked up a season-high nine combined tackles (seven solo) and recovered a fumble in the Bengals' 27–34 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers. On December 9, 2024, Stone made five combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Cooper Rush to CeeDee Lamb during a 27–20 win at the Dallas Cowboys. On December 15, 2024, Stone made five combined tackles (one solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Will Levis to tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo and returned it 39–yards for his first career touchdown in a 37–27 win at the Tennessee Titans.[40] On December 22, 2024, Stone made one solo tackle, a season-high two pass deflections, and had his third consecutive game with an interception after picking off a pass by Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the Bengals routed the Cleveland Browns 24–6. He started 17 games during the 2024 NFL season and finished with 81 combined tackles (47 solo), six pass deflections, four interceptions, and one touchdown.[41] He received an overall grade of 53.1 from Pro Football Focus.
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league (for safeties) | |
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | TD | ||
| 2020 | BAL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | BAL | 15 | 1 | 21 | 15 | 6 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | BAL | 17 | 7 | 38 | 34 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | BAL | 17 | 11 | 68 | 44 | 24 | 0.0 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 101 | 14.4 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | CIN | 17 | 17 | 81 | 47 | 34 | 0.0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 88 | 29 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | CIN | 17 | 17 | 104 | 65 | 39 | 2.0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 57 | 28.5 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 85 | 53 | 312 | 205 | 107 | 2.0 | 5 | 21 | 14 | 246 | 17.6 | 49 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
Postseason
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | TD | ||
| 2022 | BAL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | BAL | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
References
[edit]- ^ Sauertieg, Clay (December 20, 2016). "Stone 'can't wait' to get started at Kent State". New Castle News. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Crootin': Safety Geno Stone Commits to Iowa". Black Heart Gold Pants. SB Nation. January 31, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Geno Stone, 2017 Safety - Rivals.com". N.rivals.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ Sauertieg, Clay (August 23, 2018). "Kickoff 2018: Just a sophomore, New Castle High product a stone's-throw away from stardom in Iowa". New Castle News. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ Eickholt, David (May 13, 2019). "Player Preview: Geno Stone". 247Sports.com. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ Emmert, Mark (April 16, 2019). "Geno Stone looks to make his mark as leader of retooled Iowa Hawkeye secondary". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ Batko, Brian (February 28, 2020). "Iowa's Geno Stone hopes to be the next New Castle star in the NFL". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ Maakaron, John (April 4, 2020). "Safety Geno Stone Would Bolster Lions' Secondary". SI.com. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ Morehouse, Marc (January 6, 2020). "Iowa safety Geno Stone leaps to the NFL Draft". The Gazette. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Geno Stone NFL Draft 2020: Scouting Report for Baltimore Ravens' Pick". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ "Geno Stone Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ "2020 Draft Scout Geno Stone, Iowa NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ Allison, Ryan (April 25, 2020). "New Castle's Geno Stone drafted by Ravens in 7th round". WKBN. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- ^ "Ravens GM Eric DeCosta Calls Geno Stone 'Best Seventh-Round Pick We've Ever Had'". si.com. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ a b "Spotrac.com: Geno Stone contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ "Ravens Release First Depth Chart of 2020". BaltimoreRavenns.com. September 7, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (October 8, 2020). "Ravens Release Seventh-Round Pick Geno Stone". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Geno Stone: Joins Ravens' practice squad". CBSSports.com. October 10, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Oyefusi, Daniel (November 7, 2020). "Ravens elevate WR Dez Bryant to active roster; S Geno Stone designated as COVID-19 replacement". CapitalGazette.com. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ Oyefusi, Daniel (November 14, 2020). "Ravens elevate S Geno Stone to active roster vs. Patriots, keep WR Dez Bryant on practice squad". BaltimoreSun.com. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ Stevens, Matthew (November 17, 2020). "Ravens place Nick Boyle, Terrell Bonds on IR; add Geno Stone, Luke Wilson". USAToday.com. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ Valente, Tom (December 2, 2020). "Press Release: Ravens Roster Moves". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ Mink, Ryan (December 21, 2020). "Ravens Place Defensive Back on Injured Reserve; Activate Two Players". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ @Ravens (December 28, 2020). "We have waived S Geno Stone" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Alper, Josh (December 29, 2020). "Texans claim Geno Stone off waivers". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ Karpovich, Todd (March 23, 2021). "Ravens Bring Back Safety Geno Stone On One-Year Deal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ Wilson, Aaron (March 23, 2021). "Former Texans safety Geno Stone re-signs with Ravens". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Baltimore Ravens 2021 Season Preview". si.com. September 3, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ "Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Ravens – December 19th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens – January 9th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Geno Stone 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Geno Stone stats (2021)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Mink, Ryan (March 9, 2022). "Ravens Extend Six Tenders, Including to Quarterback Tyler Huntley". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ Ryan Mink (August 7, 2022). "Takeaways from first Ravens Depth Chart of 2022". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ "Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants – October 16th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – October 27th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Geno Stone 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Geno Stone 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Bengals Sign Geno Stone". Bengals.com. March 14, 2024.
- ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans - December 15th, 2024". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Geno Stone stats (2024)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Cincinnati Bengals bio
- Iowa Hawkeyes bio Archived January 3, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
Geno Stone
View on GrokipediaEarly life and high school
Upbringing
Geno Stone was born on April 19, 1999, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, a small industrial city in Lawrence County known for its working-class roots and proximity to Pittsburgh.[5][6] He was raised primarily by his mother, Erin Stone, who had him at age 18 and served as a single parent after his biological father was absent from his life. Erin's determination and unwavering support played a pivotal role in Stone's development, often driving him to practices and advocating for his opportunities despite financial and logistical challenges in their modest household. The family unit also included Stone's grandmother, Debbie Stone, who lived with them and contributed to a stable home environment, as well as his uncle Gary, Erin's brother, who became a father figure by taking Stone to youth sports events and instilling a belief in his potential to reach the NFL; Gary passed away before Stone's professional breakthrough. No siblings are documented in public accounts of his upbringing.[6][7][8] Stone's early exposure to sports began at age three with T-ball, transitioning to football and basketball by second grade, where he quickly emerged as a natural athlete in the competitive youth leagues of western Pennsylvania. This environment, fueled by the region's football passion and his uncle's encouragement, sparked his personal motivation to pursue the sport seriously, driven by a desire to prove skeptics wrong and honor his family's sacrifices through athletic success. These foundational experiences laid the groundwork for his organized high school involvement.[9][6][10]High school career
Geno Stone attended New Castle High School in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he displayed versatility across multiple positions on the football team, including wide receiver, quarterback, and defensive back.[11][12] During his senior year in 2016, Stone excelled on defense, recording 97 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a school-record 10 interceptions, while also contributing two defensive touchdowns and two punt return scores.[11][12] These performances helped lead New Castle to the WPIAL Class 4A championship game.[13] For his standout senior season, Stone earned first-team All-State honors as a defensive back.[14][13] Rated as a two-star recruit by 247Sports, Stone initially committed to Kent State in December 2016 before flipping his commitment to the University of Iowa on January 31, 2017, after receiving an offer from the Hawkeyes.[15][16][17]College career
Iowa Hawkeyes tenure
Geno Stone enrolled at the University of Iowa in 2017 as a true freshman defensive back, having committed to the program following a standout high school career in Pennsylvania.[2] In his debut season, Stone appeared in all 13 games for the Hawkeyes, primarily contributing on special teams and as a reserve in the secondary, where he recorded 17 tackles and 1 interception.[2] As a sophomore in 2018, Stone transitioned into a starting safety role, playing in all 13 games with 8 starts and emerging as a key defensive playmaker with 39 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass breakups, and a team-leading 4 interceptions—one of which he returned 24 yards for a touchdown against Penn State.[2][11] Stone's junior year in 2019 marked his most productive campaign, as he started all 13 games at safety and posted career highs of 70 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery, solidifying his role as a versatile and impactful contributor to Iowa's defense.[2] Throughout his three seasons with the Hawkeyes from 2017 to 2019, Stone demonstrated steady progression from a rotational player to an everyday starter, enhancing the team's secondary with his ball skills and tackling ability across 39 games.[2][3]Achievements and draft preparation
During his sophomore season in 2018, Stone earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from the media after recording 17 tackles and two interceptions as a rotational safety for the Hawkeyes.[18] In 2019, as a junior starter, he received second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the Associated Press, highlighted by his 70 tackles, one sack, and four interceptions that contributed to Iowa's top-10 national ranking in scoring defense.[11] Stone also demonstrated leadership by being named one of four team captains for the 2019 season and the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl.[19] Academically, he was recognized as an Academic All-Big Ten honoree during his freshman year in 2017.[20] Following his junior campaign, Stone decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2020 NFL Draft, announcing the choice on January 6, 2020, after consultations with family, coaches, and advisors.[21] In preparation, he participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in late February 2020, where his athletic testing revealed average speed and explosiveness, and later competed in drills at Iowa's pro day on March 23, 2020, meeting with multiple NFL teams.[22] Scouting reports praised Stone's instincts and ball skills, noting his ability to read routes, time pass breakups effectively, and maximize his compact frame with football IQ and competitiveness in zone coverage.[23][24]Professional career
Pre-draft process and NFL draft
Following his junior season at Iowa, where he recorded five interceptions over his final two years, Geno Stone declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, forgoing his senior year of eligibility.[25] He did not participate in any all-star games such as the Senior Bowl, as he entered the draft process as an underclassman.[26] Stone measured 5 feet 10⅜ inches tall and weighed 207 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2020.[25] He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds and recorded a 33.5-inch vertical jump, results that highlighted his adequate but not elite athleticism for a safety prospect.[27] These measurables aligned with evaluations noting his functional speed in short areas but limitations in deep coverage.[23] NFL scouts praised Stone's instincts and ball skills, particularly in zone coverage schemes, where he demonstrated a strong feel for quarterback tendencies and route combinations, contributing to his college interception total.[28] His high football IQ and physical tackling in run support were seen as assets for a strong safety role, allowing him to make plays despite his undersized frame.[24] However, reports highlighted weaknesses in man coverage, where he struggled against quicker receivers, and his average long speed, which could limit his range against vertical threats.[23] Overall, Stone was projected as a late-round pick, often in the fifth through seventh rounds, valued as a developmental depth option rather than an immediate starter.[22] The Baltimore Ravens selected Stone in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 219th overall, adding to their defensive back depth with a player known for his playmaking potential in the secondary.[29] He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3.4 million on May 8, 2020, including a signing bonus of approximately $75,000.[30]2020 rookie season
Stone was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 219th overall pick. Following the draft, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the team on May 8, 2020.[31][1] His rookie season began with instability, as the Ravens waived Stone on October 8, 2020, to make room on the 53-man roster, only to re-sign him to their practice squad two days later on October 10.[32][31] Stone remained on the practice squad until elevations for game-day usage, marking his NFL debut on November 8, 2020, against the Indianapolis Colts, where he contributed 19 special teams snaps in a 24-10 victory.[33] The following week, on November 15 against the New England Patriots, he appeared in his second game, logging 19 special teams snaps and 2 defensive snaps in a 17-23 loss, but recording no statistics.[33] On November 17, the Ravens promoted him to the active roster.[34] Stone's season was further disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Ravens placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 2, 2020, amid a team outbreak that sidelined multiple players and forced postponed games. He was activated on December 21 after clearing protocols, but saw no further action that year.[35] The Ravens waived him again on December 28, 2020.[36] The Houston Texans claimed Stone off waivers the next day, December 29, 2020, and placed him on the exempt/commissioner's permission list initially before activating him to the roster.[37] However, he did not appear in any games for the Texans during the regular season finale on January 3, 2021, against the Tennessee Titans, remaining inactive.[33] Across his rookie year, Stone appeared in just two games—all with the Ravens—primarily on special teams with 38 total snaps and no defensive statistics or tackles recorded, highlighting the challenges of adapting to the NFL amid roster flux and pandemic-related disruptions.[38][33]Baltimore Ravens (2021–2023)
Stone signed a one-year contract worth $780,000 with the Baltimore Ravens on March 23, 2021.[30] In his first full season with the team, he appeared in 15 games with one start, recording 21 tackles (15 solo), one interception, and one pass deflection while primarily serving as a reserve safety and special teams contributor.[1] The Ravens tendered Stone as an exclusive rights free agent on March 9, 2022, signing him to a one-year deal valued at $895,000.[30] He played in all 17 games that year, starting seven, and tallied 38 tackles (34 solo), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection, showing increased involvement in the defensive rotation.[1] On March 16, 2023, Stone agreed to a one-year contract with the Ravens worth $1.76 million, including a $750,000 signing bonus.[30] He started 11 of 17 games, achieving career highs with 68 tackles (44 solo), seven interceptions (leading all safeties in the NFL), and nine pass deflections.[1][39] Stone's interceptions tied for second-most league-wide, highlighting his emergence as a key ballhawk in the secondary.[40] His performance was integral to the Ravens' defense, which ranked first in the NFL in points allowed per game (16.5), sacks (60), and takeaways (38)—the first team in league history to lead in all three categories.[41] Over his three seasons in Baltimore, Stone evolved from a special teams player and depth piece to a reliable starter, capitalizing on opportunities amid injuries to safeties like Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton.[42] In the playoffs following the 2023 season, he contributed three tackles across two games as the Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship.[1] As an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 campaign, Stone departed Baltimore, signing with divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals in March 2024.[43]Cincinnati Bengals (2024–present)
On March 11, 2024, Geno Stone signed a two-year, $14 million free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, marking his transition from the Baltimore Ravens after a breakout 2023 season that established his value as a starting-caliber safety.[44] Head coach Zac Taylor named Stone the starting free safety alongside veteran Vonn Bell, positioning him as a key component in the Bengals' revamped secondary aimed at bolstering pass defense.[45] Stone's prior interceptions with the Ravens provided the foundation for his free agency appeal, allowing Cincinnati to secure him at a competitive rate.[46] In his 2024 debut season with the Bengals, Stone started all 17 games, recording 81 tackles (47 solo), six pass deflections, and a team-leading four interceptions, including one returned 40 yards for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. His role emphasized deep coverage and run support within defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's zone-heavy scheme, where Stone adapted by increasing his snaps in the box compared to his Baltimore usage, contributing to the unit's improved turnover margin late in the year.[47] These performances solidified his status as a starter, though the secondary faced challenges from injuries and opposing passing attacks. Entering 2025, Stone restructured his contract in May, accepting a pay cut to a $3 million base salary plus a $1.5 million signing bonus for a $6.4 million cap hit, demonstrating his commitment to the team amid cap constraints.[48] Through 11 games as of November 17, he has amassed 74 tackles (44 solo) and one interception—a red-zone pick off Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love in Week 6 via a tipped pass—while on pace for a career-high in total tackles.[49] Under new defensive coordinator Al Golden, Stone has adapted to an evolved scheme incorporating more man-match elements, enhancing his versatility in the Bengals' secondary alongside Jordan Battle and focusing on playmaking opportunities to elevate the defense's overall effectiveness.[50][51]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Geno Stone's regular season defensive statistics across his NFL career are detailed in the following table, covering games played (G), games started (GS), combined tackles (combining solo and assisted), sacks (Sk), interceptions (Int), passes defended (PD), forced fumbles (FF), and fumble recoveries (FR).[1]| Year | Team | G | GS | Solo | Ast | Comb | Sk | Int | PD | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | BAL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | BAL | 15 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 21 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | BAL | 17 | 7 | 34 | 4 | 38 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | BAL | 17 | 11 | 44 | 24 | 68 | 0.0 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | CIN | 17 | 17 | 47 | 34 | 81 | 0.0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | CIN | 10 | 10 | 39 | 22 | 61 | 1.0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | - | 78 | 46 | 179 | 90 | 269 | 1.0 | 13 | 21 | 1 | 2 |
Postseason
Geno Stone has made three postseason appearances in his NFL career, all with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.[53] In the 2022 AFC Wild Card Round, the Ravens lost 17–24 to the Cincinnati Bengals on January 15, 2023, where Stone contributed one solo tackle.[54] The following year, in the 2023 postseason, he appeared in the Ravens' 34–10 Wild Card victory over the Houston Texans on January 20, 2024, recording one assisted tackle, and their 10–17 Divisional Round defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs on January 28, 2024, with another assisted tackle.[55][56] Across these games, Stone's teams finished with a 1–2 record.[53]| Year | Team | Games Played | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | BAL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | BAL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | - | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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