Convenience Big Store: Why Derek Stingley Jr.'s new deal is important for defensive backs

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Why Derek Stingley Jr.'s record-setting contract extension is important

The Houston Texans and Derek Stingley Jr. have been open about their love affair since the 2024 season ended, with each side expressing their desire for an extension on his rookie deal.

That came to fruition Monday morning as they agreed to a new contract extension that will make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history at $30 million per year. The extension is for three years and $90 million, with $89 million in guaranteed money.

The deal, which was negotiated by agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First, should come as no surprise.

Stingley has been everything the Texans have asked for and more. He works hard, stays out of the limelight, and produces on the field. His interceptions and his ability to shadow the opposing team's best receiver have changed games in favor of the Texans.

And now he's been rewarded for it. His extension kicks in after the 2026 season and runs through 2029. The Texans are expected to pick up the fifth-year option on his contract.

Stingley's deal is also a big win for NFL cornerbacks, who haven't quite reached what their counterparts on the opposite side of the ball are making. While Stingley becomes the first $30 million a year cornerback, there are currently seven receivers who make $30 million or more.

Stingley's average per year is $5 million more per year than the next highest-paid cornerback and nearly $10 million more than Atlanta's A.J, Terrell, the fifth-highest paid cornerback. But this will change that in the years to come.

The Jets' Sauce Gardner is also up for a contract extension. Denver's Patrick Surtain will also likely look for another pay raise soon after winning the NFL's defensive player of the year award.

It's also a win for Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is also represented by Mulugheta.

Stroud is eligible for a contract extension next offseason and will be looking to secure the first long-term deal of his career.

The average per year for the highest-paid quarterback is $60 million, set by Dallas' Dak Prescott, a number that you can expect Stroud to surpass if he has a big season in 2025.

Read the rest of my story on Stingley's new deal.

Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter

jonathan.alexander@houstonchronicle.com

📬 JMA's Texans Mailbag

❓ Ask me anything! Follow me on X, formerly known as "Twitter," submit your questions here or hit reply to this email to be a part of my next mailbag.

Q: I would be interested in which of the offensive line players traded for or drafted by Nick Caserio you believe are competent NFL players — Joe Barnett

JMA: I'm assuming you're referring to the new players as the draft has not happened.

It's hard for me to say because I have not seen them play. Obviously, both Ed Ingram, whom the Texans traded for, and Laken Tomlinson, whom the Texans signed, struggled last season.

The Texans believe Ingram has all the physical tools to be successful, and just hasn't put the mental game together. They believe they can help him unlock that.

They also believe Tomlinson, being a veteran, provides good depth at guard and could start. He is a longtime starter and has experience with this type of offensive system.

The full mailbag appears on our Texans page the first Wednesday of each month during the offseason.

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This week's question: Three players from the Houston Texans' 2020 team, departed this offseason, and only two remain on the current roster.

Which of those three players departed this offseason? And which two remain?

The first person to email me the answer these two questions correctly gets a shoutout in the next newsletter.

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