Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. joined Richard Sherman's podcast to discuss the team's playoff success, his approach to the position, and life in the NFL.
The Stiff Arm Heard Round the League
Sherman wasted no time bringing up one of the season's most memorable plays. "I'm going to start it off with that. The pick was incredible. Why you stiff on that man like that?"
Stingley Jr. downplayed the viral moment. "I mean, I thought it was just a normal stiff arm. Apparently it wasn't, but I don't know. We get stiff armed all the time, right? You got to give him back a little bit when you can."
Sherman, who has firsthand knowledge of the physicality required at the cornerback position, appreciated that attitude and Stingley Jr.'s unwillingness to go down fast after the pick.
"People don't realize DBs can be physical too," Stingley Jr. added. "We're not just out here trying to avoid contact."
Sherman then broke down the actual interception that preceded the stiff arm. "That was a great play though, man. What did you read on that play? What did you see? Your ball skills are next level. Obviously they said you had 27 of them things in high school. That's just silly numbers."
Stingley Jr. kept his explanation simple. "On that play, I'm just looking at the vertical. And then I saw the quarterback, he was looking at two. And then, I mean, I just went to the ball, seen the ball, just get ball."
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."
Advice for Young Corners
When Sherman asked what advice he'd give to young cornerbacks, Stingley Jr. was emphatic. "Study the game. Watch film on the greats. Watch how they played, what made them successful. And don't be afraid to ask questions."
He continued: "You're going to get beat sometimes. That's part of the position. But it's how you respond that matters. You got to have short-term memory."
Chemistry with the Secondary
Stingley Jr. praised his fellow defensive backs, including safety Calen Bullock and rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter. "We got a good group," he said. "Everybody works hard, everybody competes. That makes everybody better."
On playing alongside Lassiter: "He's learning fast. He asks good questions, he's always watching film. That's what you want to see from young guys."
The Legion of Boom Influence
Sherman asked if Stingley Jr. studied the Legion of Boom defenses from Seattle's championship years. "Oh yeah, for sure," Stingley Jr. said. "Y'all changed the game. The physicality, the attitude, all of that. That's the standard."
He added: "I watch all the great corners. You, Revis, Pat Pete, Ramsey. You take something from everybody and make it your own."
Setting the Market
On becoming the highest-paid cornerback, Stingley Jr. looked ahead. "I think it's good that the cornerback position and other defensive positions are starting to get up there too. Obviously with time, it's going to keep going up, so I'm excited to see who is going to make the next deal like that."
Looking Forward
Asked about the Texans' potential in 2025, Stingley Jr. was confident. "We got the pieces. We got the talent. Now it's about putting it all together and taking that next step. We're not satisfied with just making the playoffs."
Stingley Jr., selected third overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of LSU, earned First-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024.
