Geno Stone Bio
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. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 209 pounds, Stone has built his reputation on ball-hawking instincts, special-teams toughness, and a willingness to embrace larger roles when called upon.
After spending his first four professional seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, with a brief waiver claim by the Houston Texans, Stone signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in March 2024. His career has been defined by steady growth, including a seven-interception breakout season in 2023 that established him as a starting-caliber safety in the league.
Early Life and Background
Geno Stone was born on April 19, 1999, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the same working-class community in western Pennsylvania, attending New Castle Junior/Senior High School, where he emerged as a multi-sport standout. Beyond football, he also competed in basketball and track and field, building the athletic base that would later help his football career.
On the gridiron, Stone lined up at wide receiver, quarterback, and defensive back, showcasing his versatility and competitive nature. As a senior, he was named first-team All-State after recording 97 tackles with 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, and 10 interceptions. Despite those numbers, he was rated as a 2-star recruit and initially committed to Kent State over offers from Ball State, Buffalo, Delaware, and Miami (Ohio). A late offer from Iowa changed the trajectory of his career, and he flipped his commitment to the Hawkeyes.
Path to American Football
Stone’s path to the NFL started in earnest at Iowa, where he appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2017, working mostly on special teams and finishing with 17 tackles and one interception. That limited role allowed him to develop behind established veterans while learning the defensive scheme under the Hawkeyes’ coaching staff.
By his sophomore season, Stone had earned a starting role and delivered 39 tackles, a forced fumble, three passes broken up, and four interceptions, including a pick-six, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. As a junior, he produced 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four passes broken up, three forced fumbles, one interception, and one fumble recovery, securing second-team All-Big Ten honors. Following that season, Stone declared for the 2020 NFL draft, forgoing his final year of NCAA eligibility.
Geno Stone Career
Early Career (2020)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Stone in the seventh round (219th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft, making him the 19th safety taken that year. He signed a four-year, $3.40 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $107,155 and entered training camp competing for a backup safety role behind DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark.
His rookie season was turbulent. He was waived on October 8, 2020, re-signed to the practice squad two days later, made his regular-season debut on November 8, 2020, against the Indianapolis Colts, and was later promoted to the active roster before being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. On December 28, 2020, the Ravens waived him again, and two days later the Houston Texans claimed him off waivers. He appeared in only two games during his rookie year and contributed mainly on special teams.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2021–2022)
After the Texans did not extend a qualifying offer, Stone re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens on March 23, 2021, on a one-year, $780,000 deal. He opened the season fifth on the depth chart but saw increased playing time as injuries mounted. He earned his first career start on December 19, 2021, against the Green Bay Packers, and recorded his first career interception on January 9, 2022, off a pass by Ben Roethlisberger in an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished 2021 with 21 combined tackles and one interception in 15 games and one start.
In 2022, Stone began the year as the third strong safety but was elevated to starting free safety in Week 6 after Marcus Williams dislocated his wrist. He responded with a season-high eight solo tackles against the Cleveland Browns on October 28, 2022, before Williams returned and demoted him back to a reserve role. He closed the season with 38 total tackles, one pass defended, and one forced fumble he also recovered.
Baltimore Ravens Second Stint Peak (2023)
Stone signed a one-year, $1.76 million contract with the Ravens on March 17, 2023, and entered camp as a backup. After Marcus Williams suffered a torn pectoral in the season opener, Stone was named the new starting free safety. He delivered immediately, intercepting Joe Burrow on September 17, 2023, in a victory at the Cincinnati Bengals, and added picks against Ryan Tannehill, Jared Goff, and Joshua Dobbs in successive weeks.
His interception streak continued into November, highlighted by a fourth consecutive pick off Geno Smith against the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 17, he set a career high with his seventh interception of the year, picking off Tua Tagovailoa in a 56–19 win over the Miami Dolphins. He finished 2023 with 68 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and seven interceptions in 16 games and 11 starts, ranking second in the league in interceptions behind DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2024–Present)
On March 11, 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Stone to a two-year, $14 million contract featuring $6 million guaranteed and a $3 million signing bonus. Head coach Zac Taylor paired him with Vonn Bell as the starting safeties to open the 2024 NFL season, and Stone quickly became a fixture in the secondary.
He recorded a season-high nine combined tackles and recovered a fumble in a Week 11 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers, intercepted Cooper Rush in a win at the Dallas Cowboys on December 9, 2024, and returned a Will Levis interception 39 yards for his first career touchdown in a victory at the Tennessee Titans. He posted three consecutive games with an interception, capped by a pick of Dorian Thompson-Robinson in a rout of the Cleveland Browns. Stone started all 17 games in 2024, finishing with 81 combined tackles, six pass deflections, four interceptions, and one touchdown while earning a 53.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stone is widely viewed as a cerebral safety with strong football instincts, dependable open-field tackling, and an ability to thrive in zone coverage. His special-teams background has shaped his tackling reliability and willingness to contribute in run support. Coaches have praised his preparation and his knack for generating turnovers when quarterbacks force throws into crowded areas of the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
His seven-interception 2023 season stands as his signature achievement, ranking second league-wide behind DaRon Bland. He also reached milestones with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, including his first career touchdown on a 39-yard interception return and a streak of three consecutive games with a pick. Throughout his career, Stone has also been recognized for his resilience, having been cut and brought back multiple times before establishing himself as a full-time starter.
Geno Stone Career Wins
Geno Stone has not accumulated traditional win totals in a racing or championship sense, but his career highlights are measured in impact plays, starting roles, and interceptions. Across his first five professional seasons, he has compiled 12 interceptions, more than 200 combined tackles, and 16 pass deflections, while contributing on special teams in nearly every season.
NFL Highlights
Stone’s first career interception came on January 9, 2022, off Ben Roethlisberger in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. His first pick-six arrived on December 15, 2024, when he returned a Will Levis pass 39 yards for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. His most recent interception, against Dorian Thompson-Robinson, capped a three-game streak in December 2024.
Other Wins & Performances
Stone earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2019 at Iowa and honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition the year before. He was a first-team All-State selection as a senior at New Castle Junior/Senior High School in 2017, recording 10 interceptions during his final prep season.
Geno Stone Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stone grew up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, the same community where he attended high school and developed into a multi-sport athlete. Specific details about his parents and any extended family athletic background are not publicly documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Stone maintains a private personal life and has not publicly shared details about a spouse or children. He remains connected to his New Castle roots and is active on social media, where he shares updates about his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Stone enters 2025 in the second year of his two-year, $14 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, which runs through the 2025 season. After starting all 17 games in 2024, he is expected to remain a key piece of the Bengals’ secondary alongside Vonn Bell and the rest of the defensive backfield.
The Bengals will look for Stone to build on his four-interception debut campaign in Cincinnati, particularly his ball-hawking skills in zone looks and his reliability in run support. With his 2023 interception résumé still fresh, the organization is counting on him to generate more turnovers while maintaining his consistency in coverage.
Stone’s outlook for 2025 centers on cementing his role as a long-term starter and helping Cincinnati’s defense take a step forward. His blend of experience, preparation, and turnover-producing ability makes him a central figure in the team’s plans heading into the new season.