Derek Stingley Jr. and the Texans defense know exactly what they’re up against in 2026 and they are attacking it the right way
The 2025 version of the Texans defense is one of the most impressive defensive units we’ve seen in quite some time. Derek Stingley and Co. know that 2026 is a whole different animal, however.
Sure, people love it when their favorite players make highlight-worthy plays, but it’s consistency that truly propels greatness in the NFL.
The Houston Texans defense is coming off an incredible year where it was virtually a top-10 unit in every major statistical category. The best part is most of DeMeco Ryans’ crew returns for another run in 2026 and the Houston Texans even added pieces that can make the defense even better than last year, which is a scary thought.
But Derek Stingley Jr. and Co. aren’t resting on their laurels. Sure, 2025 was a very successful year – that doesn’t mean anything regarding the 2026 season, though.
“I don’t think anybody is thinking about last year,” Stingley Jr. told reporters during mandatory minicamp. ” I’m trying to go out there and be the best every single snap in practice in the game. I ain’t worried about that.”
That’s the exact type of mindset that will propel the defense to another successful year. There’s another factor, as well.
Houston Texans’ familiarity on defense will play a big role in how 2026 plays out
As mentioned earlier, the Texans return nearly all 11 starters from last year’s defense. The only guys who aren’t back are defensive lineman Tim Settle and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
That kind of familiarity and cohesiveness, along with a fourth year of Ryans’ defense in place, is the perfect foundation to keep the Houston Texans defense rocking at an elite level.
“The people who’ve been in the scheme or played here last year/the year before – obviously we know if somebody’s going to be in the right spot within a certain call,” said Stingley Jr. “… We know how each other play. We know how to communicate; like most people, they just kind of expect hand signals from me, but they know somebody else will probably talk on the field.”
It’s more than fair to have very high expectations for the Houston Texans defense in 2026. The infrastructure is in place and the players and coaches all have the right attitude to make it a truly special year that could seriously key a Super Bowl run.