A high honor in what could be a contract year
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn has been selected to his first Pro Bowl as a fourth year player. Three other Panthers were named as alternates. That’s a decent amount of recognition for a 4-12 team that lost some of its more heralded players in the opening weeks of the 2024 season.
Horn’s first nod
Horn, the eighth overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft has played in only 37 of 64 possible games in his four seasons, but had a relatively durable and impactful 2024 season.
Horn played in 15 consecutive games this season before missing last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a hip injury that is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.
The Pro Bowl honor comes as the Panthers front office has to decide wether to extend Horn, pick up the fifth year option on his contract, or let him walk in free agency. Letting him walk is the least likely option for a team devoid of talent on the defensive side of the ball. How the team balances his talent with his availability over the last four seasons remains to be seen, but we should expect to see Horn in a Panthers uniform again next season.
Alternate alternates
Robert Hunt is the second alternate, or third string, guard for this year’s Pro Bowl. Chuba Hubbard (fourth alternate) and Johnny Hekker (fifth alternate) were the only other two Panthers to receive any recognition.
Hubbard had a standout year, for sure, and would have ranked higher than fourth alternate in many other seasons. 2024 featured an unusual number of great performances by running backs, so couple that with Hubbard internment on a bottom dwelling team and this is what you get.
Hekker, who began his career with the 2012 St Louis Rams, punted in every game this season so far. He posted his second lowest yards per punt, his third lowest punts for a touchback percentage, and his fourth lowest punts inside the 20 yard line across his 13-year career.