Derek Stingley Jr. has agreed to a groundbreaking three-year, $90 million contract extension with the Houston Texans, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The deal, which includes an impressive $89 million guaranteed, sets a new benchmark for defensive backs in the league. Stingley Jr., who was the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has quickly established himself as a formidable presence on the field.
In his rookie season, Stingley Jr. led the Texans' pass defense to rank sixth in passing yards allowed. His exceptional performance saw him successfully guard some of the NFL's top wide receivers, including Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, and DJ Moore. Notably, quarterbacks targeting him against formidable teams like the Cowboys, Jaguars, Bills, and Lions recorded a passer rating below 5, underscoring his defensive prowess.
The contract marks a significant milestone for Texans general manager Nick Caserio, as it is the first time he has extended a first-round draft pick. This extension follows Stingley Jr.'s All-Pro season, during which he tied for sixth in interceptions with five and ranked second with 18 pass breakups. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps at 46.7%.
Stingley Jr.'s extension is his first in the NFL, underscoring his rapid ascent in the professional ranks. This move by the Texans also highlights Caserio's commitment to retaining key talent, having previously extended wide receiver Nico Collins.
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