Commanders must test Panthers' resolve with Jaycee Horn after beat writer's claim

The Washington Commanders will be keeping a close eye on developments around the league over the next fortnight. And dominoes are already beginning to fall heading up to the trade deadline.

General manager Adam Peters is reportedly looking to improve the roster, but he won't just make moves for the sake of it as part of his long-term plans for progression. He's got a strategy in place and won't deviate much from it. However, the Commanders' outstanding start to the campaign warrants a slight pivot if the right opportunities present themselves.

Commanders should call the Panthers about Jaycee Horn before trade deadline

An interesting suggestion from a respected beat writer shouldn't go unnoticed by Peters. When examining what the Carolina Panthers should do before the trade deadline, Joe Person of The Athletic believes they should consider the possibility of trading Jaycee Horn as general manager Dan Morgan looks to stockpile draft picks before a pivotal offseason in 2025.

"First-year GM Dan Morgan should be in major pick-recouping mode. Teams have called about Bryce Young, but Morgan isn’t going to just give away the 2023 No. 1 pick. With rookie RB Jonathon Brooks soon set to make his debut, Miles Sanders should be on the block. Ditto for veteran receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and defensive backs Jaycee Horn and Xavier Woods."

- Joe Person, The Athletic

There's no telling for sure whether the Panthers would be willing to part ways with one of their best defensive players. Horn is playing like an elite shutdown cornerback. He's also proving his ability to stay healthy after featuring in just 22 games over three seasons before 2024.

This is largely dependent on whether Morgan wants to tear it all down or consolidate matters. The Panthers need to bolster the team's assets at 1-6 with no real hope this season. Horn could also be looking for a lucrative contract extension next spring if he continues his clear run of good fortune on the injury front.

It wouldn't hurt the Commanders to call about the possibility. Their secondary is vulnerable versus the better passing attacks. Having someone capable of shutting down one side of the field such as Horn would be a massive boost to their playoff aspirations in 2023. They also have the spare financial resources to give the former first-round pick out of South Carolina whatever he's looking for on his next deal.

This is about risk versus reward. Horn is young enough at 24 years old to be considered a long-term investment. Considering where the Commanders will be potentially picking in the 2025 draft, they won't get a better player in the first or second round that's for sure.

It would be a bombshell of epic proportions if the Panthers traded Horn. He's one of their few outstanding players and a franchise cornerstone to build around. Disposing of some on the playing side is almost guaranteed, but the cornerback shouldn't be one of them.

Even so, it might be worth Peters testing their resolve with an offer. Whether it's enough to tip the scales is another matter.

More Commanders news and analysis