NFL Rumors: Panthers 'Preparing to Pay Top Dollar' on Jaycee Horn Contract Extension

The Carolina Panthers still have high hopes for Jaycee Horn despite the injury issues that have plagued him over his first three seasons in the NFL.

Per ESPN's David Newton, the Panthers consider Horn "one of their cornerstones" and are prepared to "pay top dollar" on an extension to keep him.

Horn has two years remaining on his rookie contract after the Panthers exercised his fifth-year option for 2025 in April.

Expectations have been high for Horn since he was selected with the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. He was the first cornerback off the board, going one pick ahead of Patrick Surtain II.

While Surtain has established himself as arguably the best cornerback in the league, Horn has shown flashes of great play when he's been on the field. The 24-year-old has only played in 22 games in his first three seasons due to injuries.

The 2022 campaign was the closest we have seen to a full season from Horn. He recorded seven pass breakups and three interceptions in 13 games.

This offseason marked the first time that Horn was eligible to sign an extension. There's been no indication his camp has had serious talks with the Panthers about a new deal.

Horn was asked about a long-term contract early in training camp but didn't provide much insight.

"Nah, I leave that up to my agent and the front office," Horn said. "I'm just focused on being available. That's the main thing."

General manager Dan Morgan praised the work Horn put in during the offseason when he spoke during organized team activities in May, but there was no discussion of a possible contract extension.

Cornerback is a position where the market for extensions seems to have stabilized recently. Green Bay Packers star Jaire Alexander's $21 million average annual salary is still the top of the market at the position after he signed it in May 2022.

A.J. Terrell, Tyson Campbell, L'Jarius Sneed and Jaylon Johnson all received new contracts this offseason worth between $19 million and $20.25 million annually.

The top of the market could change when Surtain and Sauce Gardner eventually sign their second contracts.

Horn might be able to put himself in that group with a healthy season for the Panthers in 2024. They need him to be a cornerstone player this season as they look to improve on their 2-15 record in 2023.