NFL
Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Cornerbacks in 2025: Derek Stingley Jr. Contract Now At The Top

After his record-breaking contract extension, Houston’s Derek Stingley Jr. is now one of the highest-paid NFL cornerbacks in 2025.
Derek Stingley Jr. Signs Lucrative Contract Extension
Record deal: Texans All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr has agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension including $89 million guaranteed. At $30M base value per year, Stingley is now the highest paid defensive back in NFL history. The CB market has been completely reset.
Deal… pic.twitter.com/g8nzFFFQvj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2025
Stingley is now the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Stingley and the Houston Texans agreed to terms on a three-year, $90 million extension, including $89 million guaranteed.
Stingley became one of the best defensive backs in 2024. Stingley had five interceptions (tied for sixth in the NFL) and 18 passes defended (second in the NFL).
Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Stingley had allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with 200+ coverage snaps (46.7%).
Stingley was named First-team All-Pro.
Stingley was the anchor of a Texans’ defense that ranked sixth against the pass.
The Texans selected Stingley in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Stingley was a member of the 2019 LSU Tigers, who completed an undefeated season and won the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Cornerbacks In 2025
Player
Team
Annual Salary
Derek Stingley Jr.
HOU
$30 million
Jaycee Horn
CAR
$25 million
Jalen Ramsey
MIA
$24.1 million
Patrick Surtain II
DEN
$24 million
Jaire Alexander
GB
$21 million
A.J. Terrell
ATL
$20.25 million
Denzel Ward
CLE
$20.1 million
Carlton Davis
NE
$20 million
Marlon Humphrey
BAL
$19.5 million
Trevon Diggs
DAL
$19.4 million
Marshon Lattimore
MIA
$19.4 million
Via Overthecap.com
Stingley’s $30 million annually now sits at the top of the list of highest-paid cornerbacks.
Stingley’s number surpasses Horn’s, whose $25 million annually held the record for about a week.
Jalen Ramsey ($24.1 million), Patrick Surtain II ($24 million), and Green Bay’s Jaire Alexander ($21 million) round out the top five.
Stingley will likely hold the record until the New York Jets re-sign Sauce Gardner, who was taken one pick after Stingley in the 2022 NFL Draft.