Did Bengals acquire 'best bargain' of free agency?

The Bengals haven't made any splashy moves in free agency, but they have added several players who should play key roles for them in 2024.

ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz believes one of Cincinnati's latest additions came at a steal, naming former Ravens safety Geno Stone the "best bargain signing of free agency."

"Stone had a breakout season in 2023, and this was a real position of need for Cincinnati," Schatz writes. "The Bengals were able to steal from a division rival, and if Stone for some reason doesn't play well in 2024, they can get out of the contract with just $1.5 million in dead money."

The Bengals signed Stone to a two-year, $15 million contract with just $6 million in total guarantees, which is quite the deal coming off a breakout year.

Last season, the 24-year-old had the second-most interceptions (seven) in the league along with a career-high 68 tackles and nine passes defensed.

If Baltimore was able to retain Stone, it likely would have. General manager Eric DeCosta said that he believes Stone is the "best seventh-round pick in Ravens history." However, the Ravens have been salary cap-strapped all offseason and have lost several players as a result.

As for Cincinnati, it is adding Stone to an already young and talented secondary, which includes cornerbacks Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II and safeties Dax Hill and Jordan Battle.

Where Stone fits into the mix is to be determined with Hill and Battle seeing increased playing time last season, but it'd be surprising if he wasn't in the starting lineup on a weekly basis. A surplus of talented players isn't a bad problem to have.

The Bengals defense allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game (248.4) last season. So, adding to their secondary with a productive player like Stone felt necessary. 

Who would have thought he would have come at such a cheap price?