One experiment is over.
It would appear that the Cincinnati Bengals are going with somewhat of a youth movement in the defensive backfield.
After coming back to Cincinnati, strong safety Vonn Bell has lost his job to second year safety Jordan Battle. As the Bengals look to the season being about roster evaluation, Battle is going to get a chance to record more tape.
Geno Stone will keep his starting spot too, per defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Lou Anarumo says Geno Stone and Jordan Battle will remain the Bengals starting safeties.
On Stone’s “want to” when it comes to tackling: “He’s all in 100%.”
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) December 2, 2024
Returns on the Stone signing have not been great this season, but Anarumo is not prepared to make a move at free safety. Stone has shown issues with tackling, but Anarumo says he is “all in, 100%” when it comes to “want to.”
The Bengals will start deciding who is in their future as they evaluate the last five games of the season. It would appear Bell is not, but Battle has a chance to keep himself in that conversation. In reality, it can’t get much worse.
As for Stone, the Bengals didn’t invest a ton of money in him, so they could move on from him after just one season, just like they did with Nick Scott.
The Bengals head to Dallas in Week 14 for a Monday Night Football matchup with the Cowboys.
