Texans Make Derek Stingley Jr. New Highest-Paid DB in NFL

The cornerback market has once again been reset.

AFC defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. of the Houston Texans at the Pro Bowl. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While the wildest days of NFL free agency may be behind us, some big deals are still left to be made.

On Monday morning, the Houston Texans agreed to terms on a new deal with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., signing him to a three-year contract worth $90 million that makes him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, $89 million of the deal comes as guaranteed money, which, I mean, sure I guess, but you didn’t want to just top off the contract there, Texans?

The top has been blown off the DB market. Sources say #Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. is the NFL’s new highest paid DB.

Stingley has agreed to terms on a 3-year, $90M deal — $30M per year. The deal done by David Mulugheta of @AthletesFirst includes a whopping $89M guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/sG0tQU3j0U

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2025

The $30 million per year in average annual value on Stingley’s new deal usurps the $25 million per year of Jaycee Horn, who set the new high-water mark for the position with a new deal with the Panthers earlier this offseason.

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