Horn Gets Historic Deal for DB

The Panthers are taking care of one of their own in a historic way.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn is coming off the most impressive season of his young career, and the organization rewarded him in historic fashion on Monday.

The contract was negotiated by the tandem of Trevon Smith and David Mulugheta, sources told ESPN’s senior NFL insider Adam Schefter.

The Panthers announced that they signed Horn to a four-year contract extension through the 2029 season. Schefter reported that the deal is worth $100 million with $70 million guaranteed and can reach a maximum of $108 million with incentives. The $25 million average annual value elevates Horn to the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.

Horn was entering the final year of his contract after the Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler previously reported that the team hoped to complete a contract extension for him “sooner rather than later,” and they completed the mission at hand just a few hours before the official start of NFL free agency at noon ET.

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan had high praise for Horn and talked about how much he means to the team at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

“I think I said that to you guys the last time I talked to you guys, that Jaycee is obviously the focal point of the defense, somebody that we’re going to want here long-term,” Morgan said in January.

Horn made his first Pro Bowl appearance after finishing with 68 total tackles, 13 passes defended, two sacks and an interception over 15 games played, the most he has played in a single season in his four-year career. The 2021 No. 8 overall pick had struggled to stay on the field due to a rash of injuries, but he reached his full potential once he was able to remain healthy and show what he could do.

“A lot more work to be put in,” Horn said after being selected to the Pro Bowl. “I could be a way better player. I got a lot of room left to go, so, just trying to do that every day and then hopefully next year coming back and, you know, making it again.”

Horn’s deal resets the cornerback market and provides a benchmark for impending deals for fellow rising stars Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets and Derek Stingley Jr. of the Houston Texans.