Jeremy Chinn Bio
Jeremy Chinn is an American professional football safety for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 26, 1998, in Fishers, Indiana, he attended Fishers High School, where he lined up at both cornerback and running back. Chinn further developed his game at Southern Illinois University from 2016 to 2019 before being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Across his career, he has built a reputation as a versatile defender, playing for the Panthers, the Washington Commanders, and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Early Life and Background
Jeremy Chinn grew up in Fishers, Indiana, a suburb north of Indianapolis that has produced a steady stream of college football talent. He attended Fishers High School, where he starred for the Tigers football team. In addition to his work at cornerback, Chinn carried the ball as a running back, showcasing the kind of physicality and open-field instincts that would later define his professional career.
Coming out of high school, Chinn drew interest from college programs in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), and he ultimately chose Southern Illinois University. His combination of size, range, and football intelligence made him an intriguing prospect even at that level, and he entered college with the reputation of a player who could line up anywhere on the defensive side of the ball.
Path to the NFL
At Southern Illinois from 2016 to 2019, Chinn blossomed into one of the top defensive backs in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). As a freshman in 2016, he earned MVFC All-Newcomer honors and was named an FCS Freshman All-American first-teamer. He added All-MVFC second-team recognition in 2017, then earned All-MVFC first-team selections in both 2018 and 2019, capping his college career as a consensus FCS All-American in 2019.
Over 38 games at Southern Illinois, Chinn started 27 contests and tallied 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, and one sack. He played both safety and cornerback for the Salukis, demonstrating the positional flexibility that would later attract NFL scouts. By the time he declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, he had become the highest draft pick out of Southern Illinois since 1984.
Jeremy Chinn Career
Pre-Draft and Senior Bowl (2020)
Chinn participated in the 2020 Senior Bowl, playing for the North team under Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia in a 34–17 win over the South. Although scouts viewed him as raw, his blend of size, speed, and instincts quickly turned him into a rising prospect. Multiple analysts ranked him among the top safety prospects in the draft, and projections placed him anywhere from the late first round to the early third round.
Carolina Panthers (2020–2023)
The Carolina Panthers traded up to select Chinn in the second round, 64th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $5.24 million rookie contract and was immediately installed as the starting strong safety. Chinn wasted little time making an impact, recording 116 combined tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two touchdowns, and a sack in 15 starts. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Month in both October and November and finished the year on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2021, Chinn shifted to free safety and produced 107 combined tackles, one interception, one sack, and one fumble recovery while starting all 16 games. A hamstring injury limited him to 11 starts in 2022, when he posted 70 combined tackles and six pass deflections. His role evolved again in 2023 under a new coaching staff, with Chinn deployed as a hybrid safety and linebacker. A quad injury cost him five games, and he finished his Panthers tenure with 30 combined tackles and a sack in 12 games.
Washington Commanders (2024)
On March 12, 2024, the Washington Commanders signed Chinn to a one-year, $4.10 million contract, and he stepped into the starting strong safety role. He started all 17 games for the first time in his career, finishing with a career-high 117 combined tackles, a career-high two sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. In the NFC Divisional Round, with 32 seconds remaining, Chinn sealed a 45–31 victory over the Detroit Lions with an interception of Jared Goff, sending Washington to the NFC Championship Game.
Las Vegas Raiders (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Chinn to a two-year, $16.25 million contract with $12.25 million guaranteed. He started 15 appearances for the Raiders and compiled two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one sack, and 114 combined tackles before a back injury landed him on season-ending injured reserve on December 24, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chinn is at his best when used as a downhill, box-style safety who can also drop into coverage. His size, range, and tackling reliability allow defensive coordinators to deploy him in a variety of roles, from traditional safety to nickel linebacker to edge defender in sub-packages. He reads the field quickly, breaks on the ball with confidence, and brings the physicality of a linebacker to the secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Chinn’s signature moments are his two fumble-return touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, his game-sealing interception of Jared Goff in the 2024 NFC Divisional Round, and his selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He also became the highest draft pick out of Southern Illinois since 1984 when the Panthers called his name in 2020.
Jeremy Chinn Career Wins
While individual game statistics dominate Chinn’s resume, his biggest victories have come in the form of individual honors and team postseason success. He has been recognized as a PFWA All-Rookie selection, a two-time Defensive Rookie of the Month, and a consensus FCS All-American, and he helped the Washington Commanders reach the NFC Championship Game in 2024.
Team Highlights
Chinn’s most prominent team victory came on January 18, 2025, when his late interception of Jared Goff sealed a 45–31 win over the Detroit Lions and pushed Washington into the NFC Championship Game. He has also been part of numerous regular-season wins with the Panthers and the Raiders, and his two fumble-return touchdowns against Minnesota in 2020 remain among the most memorable defensive plays of his career.
Other Performances
Beyond his team accomplishments, Chinn has posted Pro Football Focus coverage grades above 70 in past seasons and earned All-MVFC recognition in three of his four college seasons. He recorded double-digit tackles in multiple games each year from 2020 through 2025, reflecting his consistent productivity as a tackler.
Jeremy Chinn Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jeremy Chinn comes from a family with deep football roots. His uncle is Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, who starred for the Denver Broncos in the 1990s and won back-to-back Super Bowls. That family connection gave Chinn an early understanding of what it takes to thrive at the highest level of the sport.
Personal Life
Chinn is widely regarded as an affable and team-oriented presence in every locker room he has joined. He has spoken publicly about the influence of his family on his career and continues to be recognized for his positive personality in the NFL. He remains active on social media, where he engages with fans and shares updates from his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
In his first season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Jeremy Chinn quickly became a key piece of the defense. He started 15 games and produced 114 combined tackles, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one sack, providing the kind of run support and physicality the team had been seeking in its secondary. His leadership and tackling reliability were central to a Raiders defense that leaned heavily on its veteran additions.
Chinn’s season was cut short on December 24, 2025, when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a back injury. Despite the late setback, his production through 15 weeks reinforced his value as a tone-setting safety capable of playing in multiple roles. Heading into 2026, Chinn remains under contract with the Raiders through 2027 and is expected to be a major part of the team’s defensive plans once he recovers.