Bengals safety Geno Stone agreed to a contract restructure, which involved a salary reduction, motivated by several important reasons.
First, Stone secured more guaranteed money for the second and final year of the contract he signed with the team last season. In addition, by reducing his salary for this year, it gives Cincinnati more financial resources to negotiate a possible contract extension with standout defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
That’s a player we really want, so that’s something I was willing to do for the team.
Geno Stone
The new agreement implies a reduction of $1.58 million in Stone’s salary for next season. However, $1.5 million of that amount will be guaranteed.
Although the team did not communicate the specific plans to him, Stone understood the situation. The salary reduction had a clear purpose: to create space for other important actions for the team.
If they give you a pay cut, they’re clearing space for a reason. I don’t know what they’re doing. I was never told. I didn’t ask. At the end of the day, they’re doing what they need to for the team.
Geno Stone
Hendrickson, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL’s sack leader last season, requested a trade at the start of the offseason in hopes of securing a long-term contract. He was not present at the team’s voluntary workout on Tuesday.
Cincinnati granted the request before free agency began in March. Despite this, Hendrickson remains on the roster after free agency and the April NFL draft. The 30-year-old has one year remaining on the extension he signed in 2023, and is scheduled to earn $15.8 million this season.
By restructuring his contract, Stone can focus on improving his performance after a complicated first year in Cincinnati.
After a 2024 season in which the Bengals’ defense struggled and the team didn’t qualify for the playoffs, Stone questioned whether he would return for the final year of his contract.
Honestly, I was very disappointed last year, with the way I played at the beginning of the year. I was put in situations that I would say I had never had in my career. And that had nothing to do with anyone else. It’s me. So that was a big learning point for me in my career, and I feel like I’m ready to bounce back from that.
Geno Stone
His position on the team solidified during the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February. Stone had the opportunity to meet with new defensive coordinator Al Golden and the coaching staff, who conveyed the vision for his upcoming season. At the NFL annual meeting in Florida at the end of March, Bengals coach Zac Taylor gave Stone his vote of confidence.
I like where Geno is going. There’s a reason we brought him in. I’m excited about his future.
Zac Taylor
The entire defense seeks to recover and help the Bengals return to the playoffs after missing the postseason the last two seasons. Stone knows how important it would be to have Hendrickson back.
As a safety, you want a pass rusher who makes the quarterback get rid of the ball quickly or makes the quarterback throw the ball in the wrong place so you can make plays. Obviously, he’s the best defensive end or one of the best in the league. You want him on your team.
Geno Stone
