In an exciting development for the Houston Texans, Derek Stingley Jr. has secured a new deal catapulting him to the top of the cornerback pay scale. Sources familiar with the negotiations confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Stingley signed a lucrative three-year extension worth $90 million, setting the new high mark for cornerback salaries in the NFL.
The specifics of the contract include a staggering $89 million in guaranteed money, making it not just a secure investment for Stingley but also pushing the boundaries of what cornerbacks are typically paid annually. This extension eclipses the previous record set just last week when Jaycee Horn inked a four-year, $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers, which translated to an average yearly wage of $25 million.
Stingley’s recent performance has been nothing short of stellar. With accolades as an All-Pro, he notched five interceptions—ranking him tied for sixth in the league—and broke up 18 passes, earning him the second-highest tally in that category. Even more impressively, he allowed just 46.7% of throws to be completed against him, ranking him second among cornerbacks with a minimum of 200 cover snaps, as per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Drafted third overall in 2022, Stingley has been a cornerstone of the Texans’ defense, helping it secure a position as the sixth-best in passing yards allowed at 201. His role often pitted him against some of the league’s standout receivers, including Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill, Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, and Chicago Bears’ DJ Moore, during which opposing quarterbacks struggled mightily.
Remarkably, when facing teams like the Cowboys, Jaguars, Bills, and Lions, the passer rating against Stingley nosedived, sometimes remaining virtually non-existent, as highlighted by scores of 3.5 against Dallas and 0 against Jacksonville, Buffalo, and Detroit.
This extension is a milestone for Texans’ GM Nick Caserio, marking his first instance of offering such a deal to a first-round draft pick during his managerial stint. Notably, Stingley follows in the footsteps of wide receiver Nico Collins, who secured a three-year, $72.75 million contract back in May 2024, spotlighting the franchise’s commitment to retaining and rewarding their top talent.
