For years, the entire NFL struggled stopping, or even slowing, future Hall of Fame Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill. The great Hill typically lit up scoreboards and stat sheets with catches and touchdowns as a Kansas City Chief or Miami Dolphin. So, heading into a December matchup with the Dolphins, there was a little bit of concern as to how the Texans would slow Hill down.
But, the Texans had a not-so-secret weapon and his name is Derek Stingley Jr.
In the fourth quarter with the game still in doubt, Dolphins QB Tua Tagaovailoa tried to hit Hill on an out route to the sideline from within the Texans' red zone. But, Stingley played it perfectly and jumped the route, snatching his first interception of the day. Standing ten feet away from his interception, it was remarkable thinking back how many times Hill beat defenders all around the NFL on that route, but not Stingley Jr.
After the game, asked about that play, Hunter, in only a way that he can, said "Coach said we needed a play, so I went and made it." He made plenty of those plays throughout the 2024 NFL campaign. He was top five in sacks with 12.0, registering 17 TFL and a career high 23 QB hits in the process. He earned his fifth Pro Bowl trip and even received votes for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
He became a social media sensation throughout the 2024 campaign for many of the football nerds after some of his whirling dervish pass rushes made their way to X/Twitter and Instagram. He returned home to the greater Houston area and put on a weekly show in the process. There's little question that he's ready for his encore performance in tandem with Will Anderson Jr in 2025 and beyond.
No time like the present to make more plays for his hometown team.
In 2024, he was second in the league in completion percentage allowed amongst all cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps (46%). He allowed the lowest passer rating in the league, a nearly impossible 50.9%, when targeted in the pass game. He had 23 passes defensed, including five interceptions, giving him 11 in just 37 regular season games played. Heed the warning; just don't throw at the All-Pro.
Quite simply, he's the best CB in the league and has just scratched the surface of what he can truly do for this team and defense.
All-Pro Sting. It has a great ring to it.
