Flurry of high-profile free agents bolt original teams for fierce rivals

It was reported on Monday that the Cincinnati Bengals had agreed to a two-year, $15M deal with safety Geno Stone.

The 24-year-old former seventh-round pick played just two games with the Baltimore Ravens in his rookie 2020 campaign after being waived and re-signed multiple times. 

Stone was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans in December 2020 but re-joined Baltimore in early 2021 and spent the last three seasons with the organization.

After earning more playing time in 2021 and 2022, he broke out in 2023, finishing second in the league with seven interceptions, while finishing third on a stout Ravens defense in passes defended (nine).

The Green Bay Packers released one-time Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones on Monday after he spent the first seven seasons of his career with the franchise. The Packers quickly replaced the 29-year-old by agreeing to a deal with Las Vegas Raiders two-time Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs, while Jones agreed to a contract with the division-rival Minnesota Vikings.

When the New York Giants decided not to place the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley last week, it was widely expected that the 27-year-old would quickly find another suitor.

Despite a passionate warning from Giants icon Tiki Barber, Barkley agreed to a three-year contract with the rival Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. The former AP Offensive Rookie of the Year has spent all six seasons of his career with Big Blue since being selected with the No. 2 overall pick out of Penn State.

While Baltimore made a huge splash on Tuesday by agreeing to a deal with two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry, they also lost a star defender for the second day in a row.

The Ravens selected linebacker Patrick Queen with the 20th overall pick in 2020 and he's improved each season.

The LSU product earned his first Pro Bowl honor in 2023 after recording a career high 133 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. Queen also added six passes defended, 3.5 sacks and one interception.