Bills To Release S Geno Stone

This move will not bring much dead money to Buffalo’s payroll, as Stone’s $1.4MM deal is worth just more than the veteran minimum. The Bills guaranteed the veteran starter $188K and will only be responsible for that figure. Stone could be a practice squad option, per Schultz, but will first gauge the market. As a vested vet, the former Ravens and Bengals regular passes straight to free agency.

Cole Bishop and free agency addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson are positioned to start at safety for the perennial playoff team, while the team still rosters Damar Hamlin as experienced depth. The Bills also drafted Jalon Kilgore in Round 5; he would be subject to waivers if cut. Sam Franklin is a roster option at the position as well, being an experienced special-teamer. Stone saw special teams work consistently in Baltimore but not as much in Cincinnati, where he had signed a starter-level deal.

Stone’s recent history as a playmaking free safety could garner him some interest in free agency. The 27-year-old reeled in 13 interceptions in the last three seasons, tied with Jessie Bates and Xavier McKinney for third-most in the NFL in that span, with almost 250 yards on returns and two pick-sixes. He also broke up 19 passes. Last year, he saw more time in the box and responded with a bigger impact around the line of scrimmage, racking up a career-high 104 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss.

However, Stone’s missed tackle rate, which was already a consistent hole in his game, surged to a career-high 20.0%, and he has never been a high-level special teams contributor. That could be a fatal flaw for a veteran safety looking for a depth roster spot around the league.