Panthers extend Jaycee Horn, bolster 'D' with free-agents

DONALD WATKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

The Carolina Panthers signed Jaycee Horn to a four-year, $100 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. They also re-signed cornerback Mike Jackson, who finished second in the league for snaps played in 2024.

With Monday's opening NFL free-agency volley, Dan Morgan hit more than one target.

The Carolina Panthers general manager announced the signing of Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn to a record-breaking four-year, $100 million contract extension.  Morgan also created additional financial free-agent flexibility.

Horn, the No. 8 overall draft pick in 2021, is now the highest-paid cornerback in the league, but it also helped the front office. Morgan made use of the extra funds. After signing Horn, the front office turned its attention to assembling the band.

The Panthers reportedly signed former Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig, Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Bobby Brown III, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Patrick Jones II and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton.  

The Panthers also re-signed cornerback Mike Jackson, Horn's running mate, in a move they signaled at the end of the regular season.

Morgan tackles free agency

Aided by Horn, Jackson quietly stood out on a defense that surrendered an all-time worst 534 points and ranked 32nd with 396.3 total yards allowed. Jackson, 28, ranked second in the league for snaps played last season, missing just 13 of 1,218 defensive plays.

Several factors led to the defense enduring a historically bad campaign, including a litany of front-seven injuries. Cornerback play, however, remained a highlight – even if it was a bit dim.

Jackson was acquired on the eve of final roster cuts in August when Morgan sent rookie Michael Barrett, a seventh-round prospect likely headed to the practice squad, to Seattle for Jackson. The deal didn't create many headlines, but Morgan could claim a more significant return.

Initially acquired to fill the training camp void of injured Dane Jackson, Mike Jackson retained the role opposite Horn after Dane returned for Week 7.

Growing into a locker-room leader as the season progressed, Mike Jackson turned in a career season, starting all 17 games for a third straight season. He registered career highs in total tackles (76), interceptions (two) and passes defended (17).

Leading up to the 2024 regular-season finale, coach Dave Canales spoke of the cornerback duo and the chances they both would return.

“We’ll look at all the guys and evaluate that," he said. "(Jackson's) done a fantastic job. I think Jaycee and Mike are like the No. 1 tandem in terms of pass breakups per attempts, so, he’s certainly come up big for us in a few games. And just the style of him, the consistency of Mike. I’ve known him for a long time. He’s exactly the type of people we want to be here with the culture, the attitude and the professionalism.”

Panthers’ defense gets more help   

Considered injury-prone during his first three seasons, Horn remained relatively healthy last season, starting a career-best 15 games and proving a lockdown cover corner who compiled 68 tackles, two sacks and an interception.

The extension calls for Horn, 25, to make $25 million per season, an average annual salary that tops the $24.1 million deal for Miami Dolphins' Jalen Ramsey. NFL Network reported Horn would earn $70 million guaranteed, ranking third among his peers. Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain II is guaranteed $77.4 million and Cleveland’s Denzel Ward $71.2 million. Horn's contract calls for him to remain with the Panthers until 2029 and can reportedly max out at $108 million.  

With Horn’s deal finalized, Morgan will continue negotiating with potential free-agent targets and scouting for April's NFL Draft. The Panthers have nine picks.

Here's a look at the defensive line and safety reinforcements the Panthers added Monday:

• Moehrig agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal. CBS Sports graded the fifth-year veteran as the league's No. 22-ranked safety last season, registering a career-high 104 tackles and 10 pass deflections.

• After appearing to land, then losing out on their top target, Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams, Carolina added Brown on a three-year deal to bolster their run defense. At 6-foot-4, 324 pounds, Williams, 24, started 16 games for the Rams last season, compiling a career-best 44 total tackles.

• After the Panthers' pass rush posted an NFL-low 16.2% pressure rate last season, Morgan added Jones to a reported two-year, $20 million deal. At 6-4, 264, the 26-year-old collected seven sacks and nine tackles for loss last season.  

• Wharton, who is poised to sign a three-year, $54 million deal, had a breakout season in 2024, with career-highs in sacks (6.5) and tackles (18). The 26-year-old, two-time Super Bowl winner appeared in all 17 regular-season games in the past two campaigns.

Teams can officially announce free-agent signings Wednesday at 4 p.m.

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