Report: Derek Stingley Jr. Signs Historic $90M Texans Contract to Be Top-Paid CB Ever

The Houston Texans are making cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported Monday the two sides agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension. All but $1 million of the payout is guaranteed.

This comes after Jaycee Horn got $100 million from the Carolina Panthers and resets the market with the New York Jets' Sauce Gardner two years out from free agency.

Stingley, 23, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of LSU, and after battling through two injury-plagued seasons to start his career, he cemented himself as one of the top corners in the league in 2024.

Starting all 17 games for the first time in his NFL career, Stingley finished 2024 with a career-high 54 tackles and 18 passes defended, plus he matched his career high with five interceptions, earning him Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors for the first time.

It was already apparent during the 2023 campaign that Stingley was trending toward superstardom, as he recorded five picks despite missing six games due to a hamstring injury.

Especially once Horn secured $25 million annually from the Panthers, it was a matter of time before Stingley got his own pay raise. He may not hold the title of highest-paid cornerback for too long, either, depending on how long the Jets wait to make a competitive offer to Gardner.

Re-signing Stingley now might ultimately save some money considering his rookie deal could've kept him under team control through 2026. His market rate only would've climbed in another year or two.

Stingley's past injuries present some risk for the Texans, but his talent has never been in doubt. With this new contract, he's poised to anchor the secondary for the foreseeable future.