In a landmark move, Jaycee Horn has secured his place in NFL history by agreeing to a four-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers that makes him the highest-paid defensive back in league history. Announced just yesterday, this deal will keep Horn with the team through the 2029 season and carries a hefty price tag of $100 million, with a substantial $70 million guaranteed.
Negotiated by Trevon Smith and David Mulugheta, the contract averages an impressive $25 million per season. With performance-based incentives, Horn could see the total value of the deal climb to a maximum of $108 million. This extension underscores the Panthers’ commitment to Horn, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, who proved his worth by earning his first Pro Bowl selection last season. In what was arguably his breakout year, Horn registered a career-high 68 tackles, along with 2 sacks and an interception.
The Panthers had already activated the fifth-year option on Horn’s rookie contract but made it clear that securing a long-term agreement was a priority. General Manager Dan Morgan emphasized Horn’s importance to the defense at the NFL scouting combine, saying, “Jaycee is obviously the focal point of the defense, somebody that we’re going to want here long-term.”
Staying healthy has been a focal point for Horn, who faced injury challenges that limited his appearances to just 22 out of 51 games over his first three seasons. Last year, however, he showcased his resilience, appearing in 15 games and playing a staggering 98% of the defensive snaps.
Horn also shone in the statistics department, allowing just a 51% completion percentage when targeted as the nearest defender last season. This impressive figure ranks him second in the NFL among players with at least 75 targets, trailing only Derek Stingley Jr. at 47%.
After the season concluded, Horn reflected on his growth, noting how being consistently on the field helped him understand the game better. “I’m just excited to get back next year and try to stack them up,” he shared, hinting at his eagerness to build on his success.
Coach Dave Canales also highlighted Horn’s evolution, not only as a player on the field but as a leader in the locker room. “I saw a guy that was just so focused on helping the team, on being out there, on making sure that his body was right,” Canales said, adding, “I wasn’t around Jaycee before 2024, but what I saw was just his professionalism.”
As Horn steps into this next chapter, the Panthers are clearly banking on him to be a pivotal figure in their defense for years to come, and if last season was any indication, he’s ready to take on that role and thrive.
