Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone is taking the contract pay cut in stride, saying it's what is best for the team as it forges ahead into 2025. The Bengals and Stone agreed to a pay cut on a contract restructuring early this week,

Stone believes he'll thrive in new defensive coordinator Al Golden’s system due to more simplicity, which he did early in his career. In switching to the Bengals’ scheme last year, Stone cited the complexity of Cincinnati’s defense as something he needed to get comfortable with and it took longer than expected.

Initially slated to make $6.475 million in 2025, Stone has agreed to a $4.9 million deal with $1.5 million guaranteed.Stone, 26, signed with Cincinnati last offseason on a two-year deal as a free agent.