There haven't been many positives through the Carolina Panthers' abysmal start to the 2025 campaign, but cornerback Jaycee Horn is one of them.
Horn inked a massive four-year, $100 million contract extension this offseason, but the move was considered at least a bit risky given Horn's injury history. Ability has never been an issue for Horn, but availability has.
The 2024 Pro Bowler missed 14 games in 2021, and then 11 games in 2023. He also missed four contests in 2022 and another two games in 2024.
However, through two games this season, Horn is showing exactly why the Panthers invested as much as they did in him.
According to Pro Football Focus, Horn's coverage numbers are out of this world.
The former first-round pick has allowed one reception on four targets (25%) for seven yards and has given up a microscopic passer rating of 2.8 (no, that's not a typo).
Horn is also one of the best in the NFL among cornerbacks when it comes to yards per snap versus passer rating. Horn is so high on the chart below that he might catch a nose bleed.
good gravy @jayceehorn pic.twitter.com/ALk57SxmAe
— Josh Klein (@joshkleinrules) September 16, 2025
The only odd things about the PFF numbers is Horn has only registered a coverage grade of 72.4, which ranks 23rd among cornerbacks. You would figure it would be higher given his other numbers, but that's another story for another day.
While the Panthers have been a sieve against the run, Carolina does sport the No. 11 pass defense in the NFL.
Of course, part of that has to do with the fact that teams don't need to throw the ball much with Carolina's putrid run defense, but Horn has no doubt played a huge role in that, also.
It's still too early to proclaim Horn's extension a total success, but he's no doubt on the right path to proving it was the right move.
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