Jaycee Horn and the Panthers have managed to work out a deal keeping him in place for the foreseeable future. Talks on that front have produced a record-setting agreement.
Horn has agreed to a four-year extension, as confirmed in a team announcement. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the pact is worth $100MM and includes $70MM guaranteed. The $25MM annual average value of the pact is the most for any defensive back in NFL history. 
The locked-in money comprises a practical (not full) guarantee, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer adds to no surprise. A rolling structure is in place like many big-ticket deals around the league. Still, this represents a major investment on Carolina’s part to prevent a potential 2026 free agent departure.
Team and player were known to be negotiating a long-term pact, and Horn remaining mostly healthy in 2024 (en route to a Pro Bowl) helped his leverage. In two of his four career campaigns, the former No. 8 pick has been able to play close to a full campaign and operate as Carolina’s top cover man. Considering the fact Horn played a combined nine games between the 2021 and ’23 seasons, though, the extent of this commitment is notable.
The most recent update on the matter noted that a deal at or near the top of the cornerback market was the target in this case, so in that respect today’s news comes as little surprise. Jalen Ramsey previously held the top spot in annual compensation at $24.1MM, but Horn has now moved past that mark. Importantly, this agreement has been reached before the likes of Sauce Gardner (Jets) and Derek Stingley (Texans) ink monster deals of their own.
Adding on defense is a clear priority for the Panthers this offseason, and the team entered Monday with roughly $26MM in cap space. The 2025 figure for Horn (who was already on the books thanks to his $12.47MM fifth-year option) could be lowered as a result of the pact, but in any case funds will be available for outside secondary additions. Even if Carolina makes a splash at cornerback or safety, though, the 25-year-old will of course be counted to anchor the unit.
Horn posted 13 pass deflections along with a career-high 68 tackles and the first two sacks of his NFL tenure in 2024. The 53.2% completion percentage he allowed was the lowest since his abbreviated rookie campaign, a sign he will be capable of operating as a true No. 1 for years to come. That will be key as Carolina looks to turn to younger option at the CB spot in particular and on defense in general as the unit prepares to move on without linebacker Shaq Thompson.
Carolina ranked last in total and scoring defense in 2024. As the team looks to build off the momentum showed by quarterback Bryce Young‘s showings in the latter stages of the season, taking a major step forward on the other side of the ball will be needed for 2025 and beyond. Horn will play a central role in that effort for years to come.
Yikes. He’s a good player, but especially given how much time he’s missed, I wouldn’t go THAT hard to extend him. Gardner and Stingley’s agents have to be thrilled right now.