DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans are working their way towards a road showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs on Monday night, but they have several bits of good news to celebrate in the meantime.
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. are at the forefront.
They are not alone, though, with a third teammate joining them in the positive update, which drew attention from the team and the NFL.
Texans Celebrate ‘Elite’ Trio
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts after a game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Associated Press and the NFL announced the All-Pro teams for the 2025 regular season on Saturday. Anderson, Stingley, and Danielle Hunter represented the Texans. Anderson and Stingley earned First-Team honors, while Hunter was a Second-Teamer.
“Elite Company,” the Texans posted on X on January 10 to commemorate the news.
The Texans also posted, “So cold, he had to double it [bee emoji]” to celebrate Stingley earning the honor for the second straight season.
Anderson Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft, was a Pro Bowler and the Defensive Rookie of the Year that season. However, this is his first All-Pro selection, and the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout notably skipped being a Second-Teamer first, just like Stingley.
Both players were also named Pro Bowlers this season.
Anderson’s emotional reaction to learning of his selection drew attention from the AP’s Robert Maaddi and the Texans.
“That’s crazy,” Anderson repeated multiple times as he excitedly reacted to the revelation that he was not sitting down for an interview, but rather receiving one of the highest individual honors a player can receive in the league.
“I appreciate your words, and just thank you for the recognition, and it means a lot. Just such a blessing,” Anderson told Maaddi during their one-on-one teleconference on January 10. “But, man, I just gotta give credit to my guys, man. I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for them, man. So, thank you, dog.”
Maaddi called it “one of the best reactions.”
Stingley argued that his second straight honor was cool, but that the Texans should have had more players on the two teams.
Danielle Hunter Arguably ‘Most Underrated’
GettyDanielle Hunter #55 of the Houston Texans looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
For Hunter, a five-time Pro Bowler, this is All-Pro selection No. 2 from the AP. Hunter was also a Second Team selection in 2018. Despite what could be a career-long slight–he is third in the league in sacks since he entered the league, per Stathead–Ryans knows Hunter is special.
“Danielle has meant everything to our defensive success. Just with him, we added a guy to our team as a free agent two years ago, who already had success as a pass rusher when he was in Minnesota, and he was always getting after the quarterback. Double-digit sack guy. So, to add him with a young guy in Will, we added a guy who not only is productive, but he’s also a selfless guy who is willing to teach the other young guys of how it’s done, how he’s had success in his career,” Ryans told reporters on January 8.
“That’s the biggest thing that I’ve seen from him, is just his willingness to share his … gift that he has, and his little tricks of the trade, and how he can beat guys on a consistent basis. And him sharing that information has helped a lot of our guys have some success.”
Only Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns has more double-digit sack seasons than Hunter since the start of the 2015 season.
There is a resource that even he can tap into with the Texans, which Anderson already utilizes.
“Has a case for most underrated player in the league,” Texans icon J.J. Watt said in a post on X on January 6, quoting NFL GameDay’s post on Hunter’s career sacks. “Legitimate Hall of Fame level numbers. Consistently great year after year after year.”
J.J. Watt Helping Texans Behind the Scenes
GettyFormer Houston Texans player J.J. Watt looks on during a ceremony inducting him into the Texans Ring of Honor.
Watt added that the fact Hunter was not named a Pro Bowler, saying “whatever that’s even worth,” was “asinine.”
Anderson credited the Texans legend’s advice for helping him have a strong campaign.
Coaches like Ryans and players like Stingley will acknowledge the importance of marrying the coverage with a strong pass rush–“It all starts up front,” as the saying goes–in having a successful defense.
Ryans and the Texans have the ingredients, and it showed with the team ranking first overall and second in scoring defense during the regular season.
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