Panthers' Jaycee Horn Leads CB's in Pro Bowl Voting

The Carolina Panthers have been one of the biggest surprises in the 2025 NFL season. Carolina is 7-6 through 14 weeks of the season, putting them right behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.

Tampa Bay is also 7-6, but currently holds the tiebreaker. However, the Panthers and Buccaneers have two matchups in the final three weeks of the season, which will likely determine who wins the division.

One player who has been elite for the Panthers' defense is cornerback Jaycee Horn. Horn has established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL over the last few seasons.

In 2024, Horn earned his first Pro Bowl nod and is on his way to another one as he leads all cornerbacks in Pro Bowl voting.

The 26-year-old has appeared in 12 games this season and has five interceptions. Horn inked a four-year $100 million extension in the offseason, locking him up as a leader for the Panthers' defense long-term.

Horn has the ability to lock down an opposing team's top receiver one-on-one, which allows Carolina to double-team and have safety help elsewhere.

The Pro Bowl cornerback is still in concussion protocol, but is making progress toward a return as he practiced on Monday.

The Panthers will hope he can return for Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Saints. While the Saints have been one of the worst teams as a whole, they beat Carolina back in Week 10, 17-7. 

New Orleans is also coming off a 24-20 win over the Buccaneers and could try to play spoiler for a division rival once again. This makes it a potential trap game for the Panthers, which could derail their playoff hopes.

Carolina has been inconsistent all season long, but if they can get hot down the stretch, they could make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season.

The Panthers will continue to rely on Horn to lock down the opposing team's best receiver. If Carolina can play to their full potential as a whole, they have the talent to overtake Tampa Bay and win the division.