The Cincinnati Bengals signed safety Geno Stone during the 2024 offseason, but things have gone badly during his first season with the team. That has led one NFL analyst to believe the Bengals could move on from him and make a play for a New York Giants starting safety.
Signed to a two-year, $14 million deal, Stone has been one of the worst starting safeties in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, with his overall grade of 57.8 ranking 114th out of 161 safeties entering Week 16.
Knowing that, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine thinks the Bengals could cut Stone after just one season. And, in the event they do that, he pegs Giants safety Jason Pinnock as a potential replacement.
The Bengals took a swing-and-miss on Geno Stone in free agency last season. Stone might be a cut candidate, as he’s been a part of the Bengals’ issues in the secondary this year. However, that doesn’t mean the Bengals should ignore the position in free agency this season. They haven’t had a great track record of drafting safeties either.
Jason Pinnock could be a good compromise. He’s a young free agent coming off his rookie contract but has some proven production as a starter for the Giants.
Pinnock had a breakout year in 2023, posting career-highs in completion rate (54.8%), passer rating against (74.8), interceptions (two) and tackles (85). However, he’s come back down to Earth in 2024.
Pinnock doesn’t have any picks this season and both his completion rate (69.2%) and passer rating (126.3) when targeted have gone up significantly.
Even still, Pinnock’s numbers are comparable to Stone’s, and he would come cheaper than the Bengals’ current starting safety, which would be a plus for Cincinnati.
The Bengals are projected to have $62.7 million in cap space in 2025, per Over the Cap, but they also have to extend Ja’Marr Chase and possibly Tee Higgins, so that money could dry up fast.
But with safety and the defense as a whole being a major issue for the Bengals this season, they may want to aim higher than Pinnock if they cut Stone loose.
