Jeremy Chinn Bio
Jeremy Chinn is an American professional football safety who plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. Born on February 26, 1998, in Fishers, Indiana, he developed into one of the most versatile defensive players of his draft class after starring at Southern Illinois University. Selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Chinn quickly established himself as a tackling machine and playmaker, earning selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in his first season.
Across his NFL career, Chinn has lined up at safety, nickelback, and linebacker, demonstrating rare positional flexibility. After four seasons with the Panthers and a one-year stint with the Washington Commanders, he signed a two-year deal with the Raiders in 2025 and immediately became a core piece of their defense. Standing 6 foot 3 inches and weighing around 220 pounds, he brings a unique blend of size, speed, and football instincts to the secondary.
Early Life and Background
Jeremy Chinn grew up in Fishers, Indiana, a suburb north of Indianapolis known for producing competitive high school football talent. He attended Fishers High School, where he played both cornerback and running back for the Tigers. Playing on both sides of the ball helped him build a well-rounded skill set, and his size and athleticism made him a notable recruit even before his college years.
Coming from a family with deep football roots, Chinn gained early exposure to the professional game through relatives who had reached the highest level of the sport. His upbringing in Indiana, combined with this family connection to the NFL, shaped his understanding of the work required to succeed as a professional defensive back.
Path to the NFL
Chinn took his talents to Southern Illinois University, where he played for the Salukis from 2016 to 2019. He appeared at both safety and cornerback during his college career, starting 27 of 38 games and recording 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, and one sack. In 2016, he was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team and the Football Championship Subdivision Freshman All-American first team.
Chinn earned All-MVFC second-team honors in 2017, then followed with back-to-back All-MVFC first-team selections in 2018 and 2019. He was also named a consensus FCS All-American in 2019. His performance at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine elevated his draft stock, and analysts praised his size, range, and tackling reliability as he projected as a second-round pick.
Jeremy Chinn Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
The Carolina Panthers selected Chinn in the second round, 64th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft after trading with the Seattle Seahawks to move up. He became the highest draft pick from Southern Illinois since 1984 and signed a four-year rookie contract worth $5.24 million. Head coach Matt Rhule named him the starting strong safety to open his rookie year.
Chinn earned the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award in both October and November of 2020, finishing his debut season with 116 combined tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns, and a sack in 15 starts. In 2021, defensive coordinator Phil Snow moved him to free safety, where he posted 107 combined tackles and earned a career-high overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Carolina Panthers Era Continued (2022-2023)
Chinn opened 2022 as a versatile defender for the Panthers, recording a sack against the New Orleans Saints before a hamstring injury sent him to injured reserve. He returned to action in November and finished the year with 70 combined tackles in 11 starts despite playing through multiple injuries and the midseason coaching change that saw Matt Rhule replaced by interim head coach Steve Wilkes.
Heading into 2023, new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero used Chinn as a hybrid safety and linebacker and listed him as the first-team nickelback. A quadriceps injury limited him to 12 games, but he continued to produce when healthy, recording 30 combined tackles, a pass deflection, and a sack in his final season with Carolina.
Washington Commanders Era (2024)
On March 12, 2024, the Washington Commanders signed Chinn to a one-year contract worth $4.10 million, where he reunited with former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu under head coach Dan Quinn. He opened the season as the starting strong safety alongside Quan Martin and played all 17 games for the first time in his career.
Chinn posted a career-high 117 combined tackles, five pass deflections, two sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, he sealed Washington’s 45-31 victory over the Detroit Lions with an interception of Jared Goff in the final seconds, helping the team advance to the NFC Championship Game.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Chinn to a two-year, $16.25 million contract that includes $12.25 million in guaranteed money. He stepped directly into a starting role and appeared in 15 games during the 2025 season, finishing with 114 combined tackles, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a sack before a back injury placed him on season-ending injured reserve in late December.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chinn is at his best when lined up in the box as a down safety or nickel linebacker, where his range sideline to sideline and firm tackling translate into immediate production. He has the size to match up with tight ends and the instincts to read quarterbacks in coverage, making him a true chess piece for defensive coordinators who value versatility in sub-packages.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chinn’s rookie season included two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings in a single game, and his overtime interception of Jared Goff in the 2024 Divisional Round helped send Washington to the NFC Championship. He also earned back-to-back NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in 2020 and PFWA All-Rookie Team recognition.
Jeremy Chinn Career Wins
While safeties rarely receive traditional win credits, Chinn has built a résumé of impactful performances, highlighted by PFWA All-Rookie honors in 2020 and consistent tackling production across every season of his career.
NFL Highlights
Chinn has logged more than 100 combined tackles in four of his six NFL seasons, including a career-best 117 with the Commanders in 2024. His 2020 rookie campaign produced two defensive touchdowns, two Defensive Rookie of the Month awards, and a PFWA All-Rookie selection, while his 2024 playoff interception of Jared Goff stands as the signature moment of his career.
Other Performances
At Southern Illinois, Chinn earned All-MVFC first-team honors in 2018 and 2019 and was a consensus FCS All-American in his final college season, capping a decorated four-year run with the Salukis.
Jeremy Chinn Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jeremy Chinn’s uncle is Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, who starred for the Denver Broncos and won back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1990s. This direct connection to a Hall of Fame defender gave Chinn an inside view of professional preparation from an early age.
Personal Life
Chinn keeps much of his personal life private. Public information focuses on his football career, his social media presence, and his family ties to the NFL through his uncle Steve Atwater.
2025 Season Performance
Jeremy Chinn’s first season with the Las Vegas Raiders showcased the same tackling volume and versatility that defined his earlier career. He started all 15 of his appearances before a back injury ended his year in late December, finishing with 114 combined tackles, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a sack while helping anchor a retooled Raiders secondary.
His role within the Raiders defense expanded weekly, and he logged heavy snap counts both in the box and in deep coverage. Despite the injury-shortened finish, his production validated the two-year commitment Las Vegas made in free agency and positioned him as a returning starter heading into 2026.