Derek Stingley Jr. Becomes NFL's Highest-Paid Defensive Back with $90M Texans Extension

The All-Pro cornerback's three-year deal resets the market, with $89 million guaranteed and a record-breaking $30 million annual average value.

Derek Stingley Jr. signed a three-year, $90 million extension with the Houston Texans, making him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.
The deal includes $89 million in guarantees, surpassing the previous record set by Jaycee Horn's $25 million annual contract just a week earlier.
Stingley, 23, earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2024 after a standout season with five interceptions, 18 passes defensed, and a 46.7% completion rate allowed in coverage.
The contract was negotiated by agent David Mulugheta, known for securing record-breaking deals for NFL players, and keeps Stingley in Houston through 2028.
This extension underscores the Texans' commitment to their defensive core, which ranked sixth against the pass in 2024 and features several rising stars in the secondary.