Former South Carolina defensive back Jaycee Horn is making NFL history with his latest contract extension. Horn was drafted by the Carolina Panthers back in 2021 in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the eighth pick. Horn's first four years in the league have been nothing but successful, that is after taking his first season to learn.
In 2024, Horn put together his best body of work for the Panthers, a year that looked like something could be brewing. Horn played in 15 games, totaling 68 tackles, 49 solo tackles, two sacks, his first two sacks in his NFL career, one interception, and 13 passes defended.
After such an amazing year, the Panthers are choosing to reward the young defensive back with a huge deal. Horn is signing a four-year contract extension worth $100 million, $25 million a year, and $70 million guaranteed money, which makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.
Sources: There is a new highest-paid DB in the NFL history — as the #Panthers agreed on a huge extension with Pro Bowl CB Jaycee Horn.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2025
He gets a 4-year, $100M deal ($25M per year), with $70M guaranteed. Negotiated by Trevon Smith & David Mulugheta of @AthletesFirst. 💰 💰 💰 pic.twitter.com/XsIzIJm9Uw
This contract keeps Horn with the Panthers through the 2029 season. Horn could earn up to $108 million with this contract in incentives as well. In 2024, Horn also earned his first-ever Pro Bowl selection, and with the Panthers picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, the organization made it clear that they wanted to sign him to a larger extension.
In Horn's first three seasons of his career, injuries plagued him, so in 2024, he made it clear that staying healthy was his number one priority, and boy, did he deliver. Horn only played over 10 games in a season once before 2024, and this past season, he played the most in his career, appearing in 15 games. In those 15 games, he played 98% of defensive snaps.
After quite a few down years, the Carolina Panthers showed some life at the end of the 2024 season adn will look to build upon that going into the 2025 season. With quarterback play starting to look better from Bryce Young and solid draft picks this season, Carolina could make a run in an NFC South Division that always seems up for grabs, and Horn can be the one leading the defense in the charge.