Stingley was selected No. 3 overall by the Texans in the 2022 NFL Draft and has quickly cemented himself as one of the league’s top corners. After being plagued by injuries in his first two years in the league, Stingley played in all 17 games for the Texans last season, totaling five interceptions and 18 pass breakups on his way to First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. In 37 career games, Stingley has totaled 11 interceptions and 36 pass breakups and also forced three turnovers in two postseason games this past season. Stingley is now under contract through the 2029 season and will be eligible for free agency before his age-30 season.

A first-round pick of the Texans back in 2022, Stingley is officially eligible for a contract extension before the start of next season. Whether or not the Texans are in a rush to give him that long-term extension is another question, as the team could still pick up his fifth-year option for the 2026 season, allowing them to potentially put off the extension for at least one more year without complicating the situation. Stingley earned a PFF coverage grade of 74.9 this season while playing on a career-high 1,012 defensive snaps. He allowed 38 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns, per PFF, but also picked off five passes while breaking up another 10. The two sides will almost certainly reach an extension at some point in the near future, but whether that’s this offseason or the next is to be determined.

Stingley returns after practicing fully the last two days. The second-year corner was placed on IR in Week 2, missing seven games with a hamstring injury. Houston released OL Austin Deculus to clear a spot for Stingley.