After two disastrous seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, free agent safety Geno Stone posted a cryptic message on X, which could signal he will be signing elsewhere this upcoming offseason. According to his account, the veteran safety uploaded a picture of himself in a Bengal uniform with a “peace sign” emoji as his caption. Stone is slated to be a free agent in March, so it shouldn’t be surprising if he wants to go somewhere else in time for the 2026 regular season. Ever since the standout left Baltimore, Stone has struggled to make any type of impact in the Bengals’ secondary.
The safety was once one of the better playmakers to disrupt the air alongside Kyle Hamilton, but that has gone out of the window since joining Cincinnati.
— Geno Stone (@GenoStone22) January 24, 2026
Former Ravens Standout Free Agent Geno Stone Posts Cryptic Message – 3 Teams Could Target Him
Originally selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the former Iowa product has a chance to redeem himself with a new team. Despite posting under a 55.0 Pro Football Focus grade the past two seasons, Stone needs to find a better situation to showcase his talents. The veteran isn’t getting younger, but he could easily get back to his old self.
While there will be better safety free-agent options out there, Stone’s value could be intriguing for some teams looking for a low-stakes option on a cheap contract. The safety will have to earn a starting role through training camp on a one-year deal, and these three teams are likely to give him that chance.
Possible Fits
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys had one of the worst secondaries in the league during the 2025 campaign. Trevon Diggs was cut during the slump, and Daron Bland couldn’t stay healthy, so the Cowboys had to rely on Reddy Steward and Shavon Revel Jr. in situational moments. After giving Markquese Bell a contract extension last offseason, the Cowboys are likely to move from Donovan Wilson this year. This means the team will need to fill the void alongside veteran Malik Hooker.
Dallas could use all the help it can get, but unfortunately, the team won’t have the financial means to get the best safety available. Stone is a low-stakes player whom Dallas should be interested in signing at the right cost.
Chicago Bears
Meanwhile, the Bears had one of the better defenses this past season. Unfortunately, Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard are slated to hit the market, but the team can’t bring back everyone. If the team loses at least one standout safety in the offseason, the Bears could easily find a replacement in Stone. He was in a better environment during his time in Baltimore, and the Bears have that same scenery as well, so why not give the safety a chance?
Carolina Panthers
However, expect the Carolina Panthers to be aggressive this free agency. The team made multiple moves last offseason, including Tershawn Wharton and safety Tre’Von Moehrig. After making it to the Wild-Card this year, the Panthers have a bright future defensively. Jaycee Horn has Mike Jackson with him in the cornerback unit for help, so the Panthers might as well pair Moehrig with Stone as a significant upgrade over Nick Scott.