-
DJ Bien-Aime
HOUSTON — Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. did not maintain again on how good he believes the Houston Texans‘ secondary could possibly be. Or what they may do, reasonably.
“Going based mostly off of final 12 months, plus the fellows we received now, we must always lead in interceptions most likely by a minimum of about 10 to fifteen,” Stingley informed ESPN. “I imply, we all know we are able to get the ball. We simply received to maintain going to get the ball.”
The Texans added security C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a protection that had the second-most interceptions final season (19).
Earlier than the commerce acquisition of Gardner-Johnson, the unit had cornerback Kamari Lassiter and security Calen Bullock coming off breakout rookie years to associate with nickelback Jalen Pitre and Stingley, who was ranked because the second-best cornerback within the NFL by league executives, coaches and scouts. That group had 16 interceptions — together with playoffs — in 2024, and it suits the bodily type that coach DeMeco Ryans desires to play with.
The addition of Gardner-Johnson, who had six interceptions (tied for third most) final season, ought to elevate the unit. Even along with his historical past, Ryans will not place excessive expectations on his new security, however he understands the values that the previous Tremendous Bowl champ brings. Gardner-Johnson’s 13 interceptions since Stingley’s rookie 12 months (2022) is fourth most, and Stingley is correct behind him (tied for fifth) with 11.
“C.J. is simply, he is one piece. He is a foundational piece to what we’re doing,” Ryans mentioned. “However it may take a collective effort of constructing that puzzle, placing the work collectively and everyone collectively coming collectively to make that puzzle an attractive, completed product. All of us work collectively the best method, we are able to have a extremely good secondary.”
However the star of the unit is Stingley as he heads into 12 months 4, and the Texans rewarded him by making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL historical past in March. They gave him a three-year, $90 million contract extension ($30 million per 12 months). However the New York Jets gave Sauce Gardner a four-year, $120.4 million extension ($30.1 million per 12 months) on Tuesday.
Stingley had 5 interceptions (tied for sixth within the NFL — with Bullock being a kind of) and 18 go breakups (second) final season. He allowed the second-lowest completion share (46.7%) amongst cornerbacks with a minimum of 200 protection snaps, based on NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. The previous No. 3 decide’s protection helped anchor a go protection that ranked sixth in passing yards allowed per sport (201). His two interceptions within the playoffs this 12 months have been additionally tied for essentially the most regardless of taking part in in solely two video games.
Stingley was additionally tasked with following opposing groups’ No. 1 wideouts. Final season Stingley had one-on-one snaps in opposition to Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins), Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) and DJ Moore (Chicago Bears).
“Final 12 months was an excellent 12 months for him,” Pitre mentioned of Stingley. “However there’s much more left in him. He’ll inform you that, he is aware of that. He will proceed to make performs and assist us win video games going ahead.”
Stingley is the tone-setter. However even after an All-Professional 12 months, his method stays to maintain issues easy and proceed to guide.
“Going into 12 months 4, it is actually simply staying wholesome and stacking,” Stingley mentioned. “There’s extra to do this was already finished.”
Stingley cannot carry the unit by himself, however he is not anticipated to both. Final season, the Texans had weeks the place they utterly thwarted the rhythm of opposing quarterbacks within the trenches and on the again finish.
That they had 49 sacks (tied for fifth) final season, however one of many driving forces was the secondary’s tight protection that allowed the go rush time to get to quarterbacks. The Texans compelled Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa right into a career-high 4 turnovers in Week 15, intercepted the Detroit Lions‘ Jared Goff a career-high 5 occasions in Week 10 and held Josh Allen (Buffalo Payments) to his lowest completion share (30%) for a sport in Week 5.
“We received some loopy individuals, you then received me,” Stingley mentioned on Day 2 of minicamp. “… Everyone is totally different, so all of it labored collectively.”
