Don’t sleep on the elite
With Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Calen Bullock, C.J. Gardener-Johnson and Jalen Reed this is clearly the most stacked secondary in Houston Texans history. And in a world where the Texans are often ignored by the national media, they’re getting touted as one of, if not the best pass defense in the NFL going into the 2025 season.
No fly zone in Houston this season pic.twitter.com/9RNn5NsnRU
— PFF (@PFF) July 30, 2025
The unit that generated 19 interceptions, gaining 275 yards on those picks, has improved in the off-season. The 2024 Texans pass defense only surrendered 326 completions, 5th best in the league. That number was good enough for a 58.8% completions against them, which was #1 in the league.
And, the Texans were the only team with a completion-percentage-against under 61%.
They held opposing offenses to a 6.8 yards per completion (6th best in the NFL with only the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles doing better than 6.7 yards per completion). In the process, they surrendered 3,753 air yards (ranked 7th best) and an opposing passer rate of 83.7 (4th best).
Where they needed help was keeping opponents out of the end zone, handing out 31 receiving touchdowns. For the complete picture on that, however, the defense only gave up 11 rushing touchdowns.
The 21.9 points per game was good enough for a 14th best ranking. 42 total touchdowns landed them at 15th.
Demeco Ryans says one day it’s the offense that shines and the other it’s the defense who wins the battle. Today, the secondary impressed with multiple INT’s and broken passes #texans #trainingcamp @KHOU https://t.co/8Oxcugbaa9 pic.twitter.com/mzPGdJGNrK
— Luis Ortiz (@OrtizSportsTV) July 30, 2025
Derek Stingley Jr. has hit his prime.
Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock both have a year under their belts and plenty of potential left on tap.
Jalen Pitre is a guided missile looking for a target.
And, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, acquired in the off-season via trade with the Eagles, brings a Super Bowl ring with him. CJGJ also brings 18 career interceptions, 304 career combined tackles, with 234 solo stops. 51 passes defensed, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 touchdown and all the swagger a safety could ever need.
J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings aren’t likely to see too much of this lineup when the Texans preseason starts on August 9th. But he also shouldn’t expect much success through the air when he does.