Texans' Updated Salary Cap After Derek Stingley Jr.'s Record $90M Contract

The Houston Texans made a hefty financial commitment to star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. on Monday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Texans handed Stingley a new three-year extension worth $90 million that includes $89 million guaranteed. The 23-year-old is now the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history with a base value of $30 million per year on his new deal.

Houston has the future cap flexibility to handle the contract. It had just over $100.5 million in 2026 cap space prior to the reported agreement, which will be the first year that Stingley's extension kicks in (via Over the Cap).

His new deal represents 10.74 percent of the current league salary cap, per Spotrac's Michael Ginnitti.

Stingley is coming off a breakout 2024 campaign, establishing himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. He earned a Pro Bowl nod as well as AP All-Pro honors, becoming a key piece in a Houston secondary that owned the league's No. 6 pass defense.

In 17 starts last season, the LSU product racked up 54 tackles, 18 passes defensed, five interceptions and four tackles for loss.

He was particularly stellar in pass coverage. He allowed a 45.3 percent completion rate as well as a 39.6 passer rating when targeted in 2024, via Pro Football Focus.

Stingley also stepped up in the postseason, recording five passes defensed and two interceptions during the Houston's run to the divisional round of the playoffs.

An extension agreement appeared to be a likely outcome entering the offseason, with Texans general manager Nick Caserio praising the cornerback at the 2025 NFL scouting combine.

“Derek is a great player," he said, per KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson. "He has expressed sentiments about wanting to be here. We want Derek to be here. There's a process we'll have to go through."

"Derek has earned the opportunity here because of his play, his performance and the fact he wants to be here is because of the players in the locker room and what DeMeco has done to lead our program," he added.

As the Texans attempt to clinch a third consecutive AFC South title in 2025, they reportedly locked in Stingley on a new three-year extension.