Panthers and Horn talks will be interesting

[Captain Morgan]

One of general manager Dan Morgan‘s top priorities this offseason is an extension for cornerback Jaycee Horn, per ESPN’s David Newton. Carolina selected Horn with the eighth overall pick in 2021 hoping he could lock down one side of their passing defense. Injuries limited him to just 22 games across his first three years, followed by his first career Pro Bowl selection this season.

His negotiations won’t be as simple as fellow 2021 top-10 pick Patrick Surtain, who reset the cornerback market with a four-year, $96MM extension in September. Surtain has played in all but two of the Broncos’ game since he was drafted with three Pro Bowls in the last three years. 

Horn, however, has not been consistently available, and despite his Pro Bowl recognition this year, he allowed career-highs in touchdowns (6) and passer rating when targeted (92.7). Guaranteed money will be a key factor in negotiations; the Panthers may prefer a rolling guarantee structure that kicks in after Horn proves he can stay healthy for another year or two.

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2025/01/panthers-will-work-to-extend-jaycee-horn

[onmyown]

If another teams offers even close to what Surtain got, we should let him go. That is crippling money for a possible player on the historically worst defense in history.

That said, he is elite if he’s not hurt and I would love to keep him around so I think a fair deal is to be had. Hopefully his agent isn’t unrealistic given his injuries.

If the Panthers can’t make a deal I hope they have learned to trade him for value at least and not do something stupid…especially if he doesn’t want to sign here long term.

Edited 12 hours ago by onmyown

[Donald LaFell]

I like him but I’m too worried to take the plunge. A bigger guy like him getting dinged up all the time isn’t encouraging. 

[Shocker]

Not sure if it makes total sense money wise but losing him would be a big step back on defense IMO

[Shotgun]

It should be written into his contract that he has to cover Mike Evans. 

[PNW_PantherMan]

Probably not a popular opinion, but I’m not investing big money into a physical corner in this league.  You can’t hardly touch receivers today.

[PleaseCutStewart]

This is why I wanted us to extend him last offseason. His value was at an all-time low because of injuries, so it seemed worth the risk to offer him a 3-4 year extension when we could get it on the super cheap. 

[kungfoodude]

I hate to say that I did like Surtain better at the time. Obviously liked Slater more.

But, ultimately Horn is a good player. He will just have to understand that it isn't reasonable to get a paycheck like Surtain did. Maybe sign a shorter term deal as a "prove it" contract? I am not sure what to do with him. 

If he wants to get paid like a top 10 CB(#10 is at $19.1 mil), I just don't see that as reasonable. If he can come down to $13 mil-ish(still top 15) maybe that isn't absurd.

[Jon Snow]

I hope he doesn't price the team out of his services. If the team weren't so depleted on the defensive side of the ball it wouldn't be an issue. I hope they have a plan B just in case.

[WarPanthers89]

He’s getting paid. There should be zero doubt about that. He’s not leaving Carolina, he’s a top tier CB and you don’t let them leave. 

[outlaw4]

1 hour ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Probably not a popular opinion, but I’m not investing big money into a physical corner in this league.  You can’t hardly touch receivers today.

I've generally been more of a fan of putting money toward the front seven. Let them disrupt the play before the corners have to get involved. Unfortunately, we're so far away from being in that scenario.

[CPantherKing]

Has Horn ever shown he is a consistent shut down CB? He has 5 INTs, 0 FF, 26 PDs, and 2 sacks in 37 starts. He hasn't been able to stay healthy for an entire season, and he has never been the deciding factor in a single game. He has not shown himself to be a playmaker even with his athleticism to be around the ball.

Extending players who fail to show they can be consistent after 4 seasons is crazy. If you didn’t want Norman and Gilmore extended, why would you want Horn extended beyond his 5th year option? I doubt he's taking a discount to stay with Evero.

[Aussie Tank]

I'm on the fence about Horn especially when we want our corners to play off and come down hill. Plus we don't let him follow the best reciever 

[pantherclaw]

He's getting paid, as a top corner in the league, as that is what he is.