Jaycee Horn, Panthers agree to historic deal: CB becomes NFL’s highest-paid defensive back with extension

The Carolina Panthers are getting out the paycheck for defensive back Jaycee Horn. The Panthers and the Pro Bowler have agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal, CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones confirms. The new contract puts Horn at $25 million a year, making him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.

The extension keeps him in Carolina through the 2029 season.

Jalen Ramsey was the former highest-paid defensive back in the league at $24.1 million a year, followed by Patrick Surtain II at $24 million, Jaire Alexander at $21 million, AJ Terrell at $20.25 million and Denzel Ward at $20.1 million. 

Horn still had one more year left on his existing contract, after the team picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal last offseason. In 2024, the 25-year-old finished with 68 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks and one interception, his best year statistically. He had the fifth-most total tackles on the team and the sixth-most sacks.

Horn has played in Carolina for his entire career, drafted as the No. 8 overall pick in 2021. He’s recorded 153 tackles, 26 pass deflections and five interceptions so far in his career. 

The Panthers finished 5-12 last season, third in the NFC South.