The NFL has unveiled its 2026 Pro Bowl rosters, and for the Carolina Panthers, it’s Jaycee Horn once again carrying the banner.
The standout cornerback earns his second straight Pro Bowl nod, a well-deserved recognition for a player who's been a cornerstone of Carolina’s defense all season long. Horn has hauled in five interceptions this year - tied for second-most in the league - and added 24 solo tackles along with one tackle for loss. He’s not just making plays; he’s shutting down entire sides of the field.
Horn’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet. His presence in the secondary has helped elevate the Panthers’ defense to a respectable 13th in the league in points allowed per game (22.5). That may not sound elite, but in a season where Carolina has clawed its way to the top of the NFC South, every stop has mattered - and Horn has delivered them in bunches.
With this latest honor, Horn becomes the first Panther since Brian Burns (2021-22) to make back-to-back Pro Bowls. That’s elite company, and it speaks volumes about his consistency and growth since being taken eighth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. Now in his fourth season, Horn has totaled 10 career interceptions and continues to look every bit like the lockdown corner Carolina hoped for when they drafted him.
What might come as a surprise, though, is who didn’t make the cut. Defensive lineman Derrick Brown has been a force up front - not just plugging gaps in the run game, but flashing as a pass rusher, too.
His omission from the Pro Bowl roster raises eyebrows, especially considering how central he's been to the Panthers’ defensive identity. Brown’s ability to control the line of scrimmage has been a big reason why Horn and the secondary have had opportunities to feast.
Despite Horn’s selection, the Panthers still haven’t had multiple Pro Bowlers in the same year since 2022. Even then, there was an asterisk - Christian McCaffrey made the team that season, but he was traded to San Francisco just six games into the year.
The last time Carolina had two initial Pro Bowl selections who both finished the season with the team? That was back in 2019, when linebacker Luke Kuechly and guard Trai Turner got the nod.
Now, with two regular-season games remaining - against Seattle and Tampa Bay - the Panthers sit at 8-7 and are eyeing their first playoff berth since 2017. And if they get there, expect Horn to be one of the biggest reasons why.
His physicality, instincts, and ball skills have made him one of the premier corners in the game. And now, with another Pro Bowl to his name, the rest of the league is officially on notice.