The AFC North doesn’t just breed physical, smashmouth football - it breeds rivalries that feel personal. So when a team like the Bengals can swipe a key player from a division rival like the Ravens, it’s more than just a roster move - it’s a statement.
That’s what made Cincinnati’s signing of safety Geno Stone in 2024 so intriguing. Stone was coming off a breakout season in Baltimore, leading the team with seven interceptions and flashing the kind of ball-hawking instincts that every secondary craves.
And the Bengals? They got him at a price that felt like a steal.
But as is often the case in the NFL, things haven’t gone quite according to plan.
Stone’s first year in Cincinnati has been up and down. The flashes are there, but the consistency hasn’t followed. And while some of that falls on the player, there’s also a broader issue at play - one that’s become all too familiar for Bengals fans: this team doesn’t always put its talent in the best position to succeed.
Meanwhile, the Ravens - ever the model of defensive stability - are turning former Bengal Chidobe Awuzie into one of the league’s top-performing corners. It’s a classic case of one team maximizing a player’s strengths while the other struggles to find the right fit. And it highlights a growing contrast in how these two franchises operate.
That contrast was on full display again this week, when Baltimore locked up nose tackle Travis Jones on a three-year, $40.5 million extension, with $25 million guaranteed. It’s a proactive move that speaks volumes about how the Ravens handle their business.
Jones, who’s quietly become one of the better interior defenders in the league, ranks as Pro Football Focus’ 14th-highest graded defensive tackle this season. At 341 pounds, he’s a force in the trenches - not a flashy pass rusher, but a tone-setter against the run.
And here’s where it gets even more interesting: Jones and the Ravens were heading toward a potentially messy situation. Because of a technicality in the CBA, Jones didn’t accrue a full season his rookie year, which meant he was on track to be a restricted free agent after this season.
He even had a grievance hearing scheduled to challenge that status. But before it came to that, both sides found common ground and got a deal done.
That’s how you handle your business. Quiet the noise.
Reward the player. Keep your core intact.
It’s also a wake-up call for the Bengals.
Cincinnati had a chance to make a similar move - not necessarily with Jones, but with their own ascending talent. DJ Turner, now in his third year, is playing lights-out football.
He’s looking like a legitimate All-Pro candidate and has emerged as a cornerstone of the Bengals’ defense. If there’s one player on this roster who deserves an early extension, it’s Turner.
But the Bengals have a history of playing the waiting game with contracts. They aren’t known for being early movers when it comes to locking up their own. That approach can work when things are stable - but right now, there’s a storm brewing.
Joe Burrow’s recent comments have raised eyebrows, hinting at some uncertainty about his long-term future with the franchise. Whether that’s just frustration talking or something more serious, it’s a signal the Bengals can’t afford to ignore. If Burrow is questioning the direction of the team, the front office needs to respond - not with words, but with action.
And extending Turner would be a smart first step.
This isn’t just about rewarding a player who’s earned it. It’s about sending a message - to the locker room, to Burrow, to the fan base, and to the rest of the league - that Cincinnati is serious about building a sustainable contender.
Because if Burrow ever did push for a trade? That’s not just a setback; it’s a potential franchise reset.
The Bengals can’t afford to let that scenario even get close to reality. They need to start winning off the field the way the Ravens just did. Locking up Turner early would be a sign that they’re ready to do just that.
There’s still time to shift the narrative. But it starts with keeping your best players happy - before someone else gets the chance to do it for you.