Young Team, Strong Foundation
-----------------------------
Asked about the Texans' back-to-back playoff appearances, Stingley Jr. pointed to the culture Head Coach DeMeco Ryans has built. "We got a young team. We got a lot of young people that, obviously, they haven't been to the playoffs before," Stingley Jr. said. "But just like what we got going, we got a good foundation. Obviously, we got a good coach. We got good people in the building, so it's easy to come in every day."
The third-year cornerback signed a three-year, $90 million extension in March, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. "It's easy to want to be great when you're around people that like being around each other and working," he said.
The Mental Game
---------------
Sherman, a five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with Seattle's "Legion of Boom" defense, asked Stingley Jr. about playing cornerback at the highest level.
"It's a lot that goes into it, a lot of film study," Stingley Jr. said. "You got to know what you're doing. You got to know what the offense is trying to do to you."
On facing elite receivers, Stingley Jr. was direct. "I feel like if you're going to be a great corner, you got to want to go against the best. You can't shy away from competition. That's what separates you."
Stingley Jr. backed up that mentality in 2024, starting all 17 games with 54 tackles, 18 passes defended, and five interceptions. In the Wild Card playoff win over the Chargers, he had two interceptions and five pass breakups.
Off the Field
-------------
When Sherman asked about life away from football, Stingley Jr. kept it simple. "I like to chill, honestly. I'm a homebody for real."
He emphasized balance: "When you're at work, you're at work. But when you're home, you got to be able to relax and reset."
Family Influence
----------------
Stingley Jr. credited his father, Derek Stingley Sr., who played in the Arena Football League, for his success. "Without my dad, I wouldn't be sitting here right now. I mean, just with everything. I wouldn't even be who I am."
His grandfather, the late Darryl Stingley, played for the New England Patriots.
Playing Through Contact
-----------------------
Sherman asked about Stingley Jr.'s physical style and how he approaches hand fighting with receivers. "I feel like you got to be able to do it all," Stingley Jr. said. "You can't just be one-dimensional. You got to be able to press, you got to be able to play off, you got to be able to play zone, man, all of it."
He discussed the importance of studying opponents: "Every receiver is different. Some guys like contact, some guys don't. Some guys are more finesse. You got to know who you're going against and what they like to do."
LSU Days and College Success
----------------------------
The conversation touched on Stingley Jr.'s time at LSU, where he was part of the Tigers' 2019 national championship team as a freshman. "That was special, man," Stingley Jr. said. "Being able to win it all your first year, that's something I'll never forget."
Sherman, himself a former college standout at Stanford, asked about the transition from college to the NFL. "It's a big jump," Stingley Jr. acknowledged. "The speed of the game, the complexity of the offenses. But if you put the work in, you can figure it out."
Training and Preparation
------------------------
Stingley Jr. detailed his offseason routine and how he prepares for the season. "I'm always working on something," he said. "Whether it's footwork, technique, hand placement. There's always something to improve on."
He emphasized the importance of staying healthy: "You got to take care of your body. That's the biggest thing. Recovery, nutrition, all of that matters."