Pro Bowl starting snub adds more fuel to Jaycee Horn’s fire

Getting snubbed for the 2023 Pro Bowl should provide Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn will all the motivation needed to achieve great things. 

Fans continue to debate whether or not Jaycee Horn was the right pick at No. 8 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, what can’t be disputed is how important the gifted cornerback is to the Carolina Panthers and their hopes of becoming a contender moving forward.

Horn‘s been absolutely sensational since returning to the lineup this season. There was cautious optimism about his potential despite missing 14 games as a rookie with a broken foot, which needed to be handled with extreme care throughout the preparation period after suffering soreness during a training camp conditioning test.

This was the correct approach. One that enabled Horn to hit the ground running and lockdown everyone in his path throughout the campaign.

Teams are now actively avoiding Horn’s side of the field, which is the biggest sign of respect any cornerback can receive. The former South Carolina stud looks every bit the shutdown presence he was drafted to be, leading the NFL in yards allowed and completions conceded when targeted to further enhance his reputation.

Jaycee Horn’s Pro Bowl snub can benefit the Carolina Panthers

Horn has yet to allow a passing touchdown and boasts an encouraging 71.3 grade from Pro Football Focus as a result of his outstanding efforts. This was not enough to convince Pro Bowl voters he was worthy of a starting berth, with the second-year-pro named as a third alternate for the 2023 showcase.

This was met with derision and bemusement in equal measure. When asked about the subject, interim head coach Steve Wilks stated voting was a popularity contest more than anything else and outlined his confidence in Horn becoming a focal point for years to come.

"“You know, I don’t really get into the numbers. Sometimes, this whole thing is about popularity. I’m all about results and I think, for us, he’s doing a good job. He’s still learning, he’s still growing. Still got a lot of football left in his career. And the one thing that I love about him—he’s all about the details and trying to perfect his craft each and every day.”"

Horn is an intense and highly motivated individual. So this snub will no doubt inspire him to become even better in pursuit of leaving no doubt when 2024 Pro Bowl voting gets underway.

Individual accolades are nice. But the growth shown by Horn with relatively little NFL starting experience before this season is proof positive of his immense physical attributes – something that ensures he’ll only get better heading into his prime years.

The Pro Bowl has lost its mystique in any case, hence the significant changes made by the NFL regarding its format. But in a weird way, Horn’s snub could be great news for the Panthers and bad news for any wide receiver unfortunate enough to cross his path.

While it’s probably worth Carolina getting another quality cornerback via free agency or the draft, Horn’s status cannot be called into question. Something that’s sure to end with multiple Pro Bowl and potentially All-Pro honors throughout his career.

Not making it this year just adds more fuel to the fire.