Bills Sign Safety Geno Stone to 1-Year Contract

Stone joins secondary as Buffalo undergoes defensive transition under new coordinator

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:54pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football safety making a play, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team colors of the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.The Bills' secondary undergoes a geometric deconstruction as the team adds depth and competition at the safety position.Buffalo Today

The Buffalo Bills have signed safety Geno Stone to a one-year contract. Stone, a 26-year-old with six seasons of NFL experience, was previously a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals the past two years. He will compete for a starting job in Buffalo's secondary as the team's defense undergoes changes with a new coordinator.

Why it matters

The Bills are looking to bolster their secondary after releasing safety Taylor Rapp earlier this month. Stone's addition provides depth and competition at the safety position as Buffalo's defense transitions under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.

The details

Stone was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 7th round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Iowa. He spent his first four seasons in Baltimore before signing with the Bengals as a free agent in 2022. Over the past two years in Cincinnati, Stone started 26 games and recorded 6 interceptions, including 2 returned for touchdowns. He will now compete with C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was also signed by the Bills this offseason, for a starting job opposite Cole Bishop.

  • Stone signed his 1-year contract with the Bills on Monday, April 20, 2026.
  • He spent the previous two seasons as a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals.

The players

Geno Stone

A 26-year-old safety with 6 seasons of NFL experience, most recently as a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals the past 2 years.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson

A safety signed by the Bills in free agency this offseason, who will compete with Stone for a starting job.

Cole Bishop

The Bills' starting safety who will be joined by either Stone or Gardner-Johnson in the secondary.

Jim Leonhard

The Bills' new defensive coordinator, who is overseeing the transition of the team's defense.

Joe Brady

The Bills' new head coach, under whom the defensive changes are taking place.

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What’s next

Stone and Gardner-Johnson will compete for the starting safety job opposite Cole Bishop during the Bills' offseason program and training camp.

The takeaway

The Bills are continuing to bolster their secondary through free agency signings like Geno Stone, as they look to improve their defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard and head coach Joe Brady. Stone's addition provides depth and competition at the safety position as Buffalo undergoes a defensive transition.