Derek Stingley Jr. shares his thoughts on Texans adding DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson to defense
Derek Stingley Jr. watched as the impact of Kamari Lassiter altered the Houston Texans' secondary in 2024.
Now, he's expecting similar results from newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson lined up next to breakout rookie Calen Bullock in 2025.
"He is going to bring a whole other- like Kamari, the craziness," Stingley said after inking his new three-year, $90 million extension on Wednesday afternoon. "He is going to bring that too. I think he will gel well with the rest of us, and we are just going to go out there and have fun.”
Acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick. Gardner-Johnson should serve as the missing link for Houston's secondary. It's not like much was missing since the Texans totaled 19 interceptions and finished sixth in passing yards allowed.
When asked what he thinks @CGJXXIII can bring to this #Texans secondary, @stingjr - “like @kamari_lassiter , a little crazy (energy) …” pic.twitter.com/EvSz3ZTjvf
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) March 19, 2025
Last season while helping the Eagles clinch their first Super Bowl victory since 2017, Garnder-Johnson was exceptional in coverage, totaling six interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Since being drafted out of Florida in 2019, the do-it-all defensive back has 18 career picks, 51 pass breakups and four sacks.
Gardner-Johnson's hard-hitting play style, aggressive demeanor and alpha dog mentality should fit right in with the Texans' S.W.A.R.M. mentality on defense, which finished 11th overall and 13th in scoring. Stingley said with the Super Bowl champion's arrival, plus a veteran return featuring names like Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and Azeez Al-Shaair, slowing down opposing offense shouldn't be a concern.
It might take a bit of time to adjust, but once the unit is on the same page, best of luck slowing it down.
"We’re going to be standard – we are the standard, really. But I feel like it’s just going to add another level of, ‘We’re here. This is our defense, this is the way we play football,' " Stingley said. "So, think it’s going to be good.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Derek Stingley Jr. ready for 'craziness' from DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
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