The Houston Texans have reached an agreement on an extension with their Pro Bowl cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to make him the highest-paid defensive back in football. That is good news for Sauce Gardner and the rest of the defensive back market.
Derek Stingley Tops Defensive Back Market
The NFL defensive back market has a new leader, Stingley Jr. He signed a three-year $90 million extension, including a $89 million guarantee. The deal averages $30 million a year, making him the highest-paid defensive back in football. The Texans drafted Stingley third overall in the 2022 NFL draft. After an injury-plagued first couple of seasons, he had a breakout season in 2024, which resulted in his first Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro selection.
Stingley had five interceptions with 18 passes defended, which was the second most in the league. He was also first and second, respectively, in passer rating allowed and competition percentage allowed. He made it clear this offseason that he wanted to be with the Texans long term.
The defensive back market has seen over a $5 million jump. Jaycee Horn of the Carolina Panthers recently signed an extension a week ago that was a four-year $100 million, which made him the highest-paid defensive back at the time with $25 million annually before Stingley surpassed it.
It was a much-needed jump for the defensive back market because their salaries didn’t align too much with the players they were covering across from them. At the top of the wide receiver market is Ja’Marr Chase, who is making $10 million more than Stingley is. The top defensive ends are also making $5 million to $10 million than defensive backs as well. For the sake of the defensive back market, the other corners and safeties are happy about the news about Stingley.
Top Five Annual Defensive Back Contracts:
Derek Stingley Jr. $30 million
Jaycee Horn $25 million
Jalen Ramsey $24.1 million
Patrick Surtain II $24 million
Antoine Winfield Jr. $21 million
Stingley Deal Good News for Sauce Gardner
Sauce Gardner is the biggest winner in the recent contract extensions signed by defensive backs. Gardner is also a draft classmate of Stingley and was taken just one pick ahead of him. Gardner didn’t have the stellar 2024 that Stingley did, but his overall career has been better to this point.
Since he was a rookie, Gardner has made an immediate impact, and his accolades, thus far in his career, warrant him being the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL. Gardner is a two-time first-team All-Pro selection and a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. as well. With the NFL cap going up yearly, Gardner could command an annual $35 million, surpassing Stingley by $5 million.
It would be wise for the New York Jets to get a deal done with Gardner this season or risk the price going up if he has a bounce-back season in 2025.
Arguably, Stingley, Horn, Gardner, and Patrick Surtain II are top players at their position, and the top of the market reflects that. It has been a solid last ten months for that position group, with the market going up and Surtain taking home the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Each one of these players are likely to be in the mix for the 2025 NFL DPOY. The defensive back market is resetting and the price will continue to go up.
Main Image: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
