The Houston Texans have made All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and, certainly, his brethren in the secondary with their latest move, securing the services of a Super Bowl champion before the offseason begins in earnest.
Houston faced the threat of losing a key figure this offseason.
After that veritable crisis was averted, the Texans wasted no time in taking additional precautions to protect what they have built.
Texans Double Down With Former Eagles Contributor
GettyHouston Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Texans are as good as they have been because of players like Stingley and the guidance of head coach DeMeco Ryans. Still, both would warn against overlooking the contributions of the team’s staff.
They got encouraging news on that front with defensive backs coach Dino Vasso. Moreover, the Texans took the situation a step further, leaving little room for doubt about how they view Vasso
“#Texans DBs coach Dino Vasso is pulling out of all defensive coordinator opportunities and will return to Houston with a new contract extension, per The Insiders,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on February 8. “A top coordinator candidate for the #Browns and #Raiders, Vasso also interviewed with the #Titans and #AZCardinals.”
Stingley posted, “THE greatest ever [salute emoji] on X in reaction to the news.”
Obviously, Vasso’s return bodes well for Stingley and the rest of the Texans’ secondary The Texans ranked first in overall defense, and they were second in scoring, checking in fourth against the run and sixth against the pass.
Their pass rush, keyed by defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., is where everything starts.
However, the Texans allowed the third-lowest completion percentage in the regular season.
Vasso, a Super Bowl champion assistant with the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles who has also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Texans, is a big signing for Ryans, even as a retention rather than a new addition.
Dino Vasso ‘Key’ for Derek Stingley Jr.
GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Vasso’s return likely hits harder for Stingley than others on the Texans’ roster due to how big an impact the coach has had on the player, who earned his second Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro selection this past season.
“In 2024, Vasso helped CB Derek Stingley Jr. to the most dominant season of his young career,” the Texans noted in the assistant’s profile on their official website “In 2023, under Vasso’s guidance, Stingley recorded three consecutive games with an interception and earned one AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor and one AFC Defensive Player of the Month accolade despite missing seven games in the beginning of the season due to injury.
“In 2022, Vasso played a large part in Stingley’s rookie development, as he was one-of-five cornerbacks that did not allow a touchdown all season (minimum of 300 snaps in coverage).”
Stingley is just one of the Texans’ success stories with Vasso in the fold.
Kamari Lassiter, a second-round pick in 2024, has also blossomed during his first two seasons, a trend that bodes well for 2025 third-rounder Jaylin Smith, who missed most of his rookie campaign due to an injury.
The Texans will likely face a similar situation next offseason, with Vasso sure to draw more looks for DC vacancies, ensuring it takes as much–including play-calling autonomy–to pry him loose.
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