By: @OOSSports
Geno Stone’s stay with the Buffalo Bills lasted only a few months.
The Bills officially released the veteran safety Sunday as part of its final roster reductions ahead of the 2026 NFL season. NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported the move earlier in the day before the Bills included Stone among 21 players released while setting their initial 53-man roster.
The decision represents a notable turn after Buffalo signed Stone during the opening stretch of free agency in March. Stone agreed to a one-year, $1.4025 million contract carrying only $187,500 in guaranteed money. His release leaves the Bills with $187,500 in dead money while creating approximately $1.075 million in salary-cap savings.
Schultz reported that a return to Buffalo’s practice squad remains possible, although Stone intends to explore opportunities elsewhere first. Because the 27-year-old has six accrued NFL seasons, he becomes a free agent immediately rather than going through waivers.
Geno Stone loses out in crowded Bills safety room
Stone entered training camp competing for a role in a Buffalo secondary that was undergoing significant changes.
Cole Bishop and offseason addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson emerged as the Bills’ starting safety combination, while Damar Hamlin remained on the roster as experienced depth. Rookie Jalon Kilgore also survived Buffalo’s final cuts, giving the organization a younger developmental option at the position.
That left Stone fighting for a reserve role despite entering camp with substantially more starting experience than several players around him.
Stone started all 34 regular-season games for the Cincinnati Bengals over the previous two seasons. He recorded six interceptions and 185 tackles during that stretch before Cincinnati allowed him to reach free agency.
Buffalo’s decision therefore appears less about Stone’s résumé and more about roster construction.
Gardner-Johnson brings versatility and proven starting experience, while Bishop remains a young piece the Bills expect to develop further. Hamlin offers veteran familiarity, and Kilgore’s status as a rookie draft pick gave Buffalo an incentive to keep him rather than expose him to waivers.
Stone, meanwhile, could be released without the same procedural risk.
Geno Stone’s ball production could attract free-agent interest
Stone should not have difficulty generating at least some attention on the open market.
Few safeties have produced interceptions at his rate over the past three seasons.
Stone recorded seven interceptions with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, four with Cincinnati in 2024 and two more in 2025. His 13 interceptions over that three-year span came with 246 career interception-return yards and two defensive touchdowns. He owns 14 career interceptions and 21 passes defended overall.
His 2025 season also showed that his game extends beyond playing the ball in coverage.
Stone started all 17 games for Cincinnati and finished with more than 100 tackles while recording two sacks. That production came after he transitioned into a larger role closer to the line of scrimmage.
The concerns are also easy to understand.
Stone graded poorly overall last season, with Pro Football Focus assigning him a 54.3 defensive grade that ranked 81st among 98 qualified safeties. His coverage grade also ranked near the bottom of the position.
For teams evaluating veteran depth, that creates an interesting profile.
Stone offers proven takeaway production, extensive starting experience and the ability to play multiple safety roles. However, he may need the right defensive structure to maximize those strengths while limiting his weaknesses in space and tackling.
Bills make difficult choice during final roster cuts
The timing of Stone’s release reflects the reality of NFL cutdown weekend.
Buffalo entered Sunday needing to reduce its summer roster to the league-mandated 53-player limit after completing its preseason schedule. Stone ultimately joined a long list of veterans and younger players across the NFL who lost roster battles during the final round of cuts.
The Bills officially released 21 players Sunday while also placing Tyrell Shavers on the reserve/PUP list, Zane Durant on injured reserve and Phidarian Mathis on the reserve/suspended list.
Stone’s departure stands out because Buffalo signed him only five months earlier with a legitimate opportunity to compete for playing time.
Instead, the Bills decided their safety room could move forward without him.
For Buffalo, the financial consequences are minimal. For Stone, the next question is whether another team values his ball production and starting experience enough to offer an immediate active-roster opportunity.
If not, a return to Buffalo remains possible.
His first stint with the Bills never reached the regular season, but his time with the organization may not necessarily be over.
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