Derek Stingley Jr. Houston Texans
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Derek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans returns a interception for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Houston Texans have been aggressive ahead of the 2026 offseason, standing out with their roster moves amid their financial situation. However, the Texans also have ways to give themselves some more breathing room, particularly with Derek Stingley Jr.
The running narrative is that the NFL salary cap is a myth, thanks to how teams frequently restructure deals to create needed space.
Those decisions eventually take their toll, but the Texans have another one in the works.
Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. Heading to Adjustment
Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans during the AFC Pro Bowl practice.
Stingley signed a three-year, $90 million extension with the Texans last year, but Houston’s current financial situation has led to a potential decision. KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported that the Texans plan to adjust Stingley’s contract.
“The Texans plan to restructure Stingley’s contract to create some much-needed financial flexibility heading into free agency, per league sources,” Wilson wrote on March 4.
“Stingley Jr. after earning the highest-paid cornerback deal in NFL history in terms of new-money average per year, is due a $21.595 million base salary. The Texans are expected to convert the majority of that number into a signing bonus to prorate the salary cap impact and lower his salary-cap figure of $27.095 million for the 2026 NFL fiscal year.”
Stingley was the third overall pick of the 2022 draft.
In four seasons, he has earned two Pro Bowl trips and two First Team All-Pro nods, cementing his place among the best players, not just cornerbacks, in the NFL. His contract is commensurate with that, but it is also prohibitive for the Texans.
“CB Derek Stingley Jr.’s 2026 salary is fully secured,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti wrote in January. “Converting it to bonus opens up $16.8M of room.”
Texans Facing Slew of Roster Decisions
Derek Stingley, Houston Texans
GettyDerek Stingley #24 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Tennessee Titans.
Wilson highlighted several potential decisions the Texans could make with their roster this offseason, aside from Stingley. Many of them confirmed what had been trending since the season ended or before.
Azeez Al-Shaair and the Texans have mutual interest in a contract extension, while the Texans are expected to extend Will Anderson Jr., possibly making him the highest-paid EDGE.
Other players’ futures are less certain.
Wilson named Dalton Schultz, Danielle Hunter, E.J. Speed, and Sheldon Rankins among the players who have interest in or could receive new deals this offseason. Jalen Pitre and Nico Collins could see their deals adjusted, too.
Furthermore, the Texans’ running back room makeover is expected to continue with Joe Mixon. He remains on track to be cut this season after missing 2025 with an injury.
The Texans will feature retooled groups along their offensive and defensive lines, too.
Key Dates Coming Up
Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The benefit of the Texans’ aggressive actions at this stage of the NFL calendar is that they are defining their roster needs even further and can approach the offseason accordingly. Free agency begins at the start of the new league year on March 11.
However, teams can legally negotiate (tamper) with pending free agents from rival teams as early as March 9.
Round 1 of the 2026 draft is on April 23.
The Texans have already changed or plan to change their roster in many ways. There remains an entire offseason of work to do. The group that takes the field in 2026 will differ greatly from the one that ended the 2025 season. That is, except for the Texans’ stars, like Stingley.