Jeremy Chinn

Jeremy Chinn Bio

Jeremy Chinn is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 26, 1998, in Fishers, Indiana, Chinn attended Fishers High School where he excelled as both a cornerback and running back. He developed his craft at Southern Illinois University from 2016 to 2019 before the Carolina Panthers selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Over his NFL career, Chinn has established himself as a versatile defensive player capable of contributing across multiple positions, earning recognition including selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2020. His journey through the league has seen him play for three franchises while demonstrating consistent tackling ability and playmaking instincts.

Early Life and Background

Jeremy Chinn grew up in Fishers, Indiana, where he attended Fishers High School. During his high school career, he played both cornerback and running back for the Tigers football team, showcasing the versatility that would define his future position at the safety spot. His dual-position experience in high school provided him with a strong foundation in both coverage skills and run-stopping ability.

After graduating from Fishers High School, Chinn remained in the Midwest to play college football at Southern Illinois University. He suited up for the Salukis from 2016 to 2019, competing in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) against future professional opponents. His time at Southern Illinois laid the groundwork for his professional prospects and allowed him to develop into a complete defensive back.

Path to the NFL

Chinn quickly made his presence felt at Southern Illinois, earning a spot on the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) All-Newcomer Team and the FCS Freshman All-American first-team in 2016. He continued to progress, earning All-MVFC second-team honors in 2017 before elevating to first-team recognition in both 2018 and 2019. His standout 2019 season culminated in being named a consensus FCS All-American.

During his college career spanning 38 games with 27 starts, Chinn recorded 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, and one sack. His impressive ball skills and physical style of play attracted NFL attention. On January 25, 2020, he participated in the Senior Bowl, performing well for the North team under Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia. His stock rose steadily during the pre-draft process, with analysts projecting him as a second-round selection. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein described him as a player with outstanding blend of size, speed, and instincts, noting his ability to make plays sideline to sideline.

Jeremy Chinn Career

Carolina Panthers (2020–2023)

The Carolina Panthers selected Jeremy Chinn in the second round with the 64th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Panthers orchestrated a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, sending their third and fifth-round picks to secure Chinn at that position. He became the fifth safety drafted in 2020 and the highest draft pick from Southern Illinois since 1984. On June 21, 2020, Chinn signed a four-year rookie contract worth $5.24 million with a $1.37 million signing bonus.

Throughout training camp, Chinn competed for the starting strong safety position while defensive coordinator Phil Snow had him learn multiple positions, including extra defensive back in nickel and dime packages and linebacker spots. Head coach Matt Rhule named Chinn the starting strong safety alongside free safety Tre Boston to begin the 2020 season. He made his professional debut on September 13, 2020, recording eight combined tackles in the season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Breakthrough Rookie Season (2020)

Chinn’s rookie campaign proved exceptional. On October 18, 2020, he recorded his first career interception against the Chicago Bears. His defining moment came on November 29, 2020, when he returned two fumble recoveries for touchdowns in a narrow loss to the Minnesota Vikings, scoring on plays of 17 and 28 yards. He earned Defensive Rookie of the Month honors twice during the season, first in October and again in November. Chinn finished his rookie year with 116 combined tackles, five pass deflections, one interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two touchdowns, and one sack across 15 games with 15 starts. His performance earned him selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Commanders Era (2024)

On March 12, 2024, the Washington Commanders signed Chinn to a one-year contract worth $4.10 million with $3.49 million guaranteed. He stated he also received a higher-valued offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers but chose Washington to play under defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and reunite with former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu. Chinn entered training camp as the projected strong safety and was named the starter alongside free safety Quan Martin to open the season.

On November 10, 2024, Chinn tied his season-high with 13 combined tackles and recorded an interception against Russell Wilson during a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started all 17 games that season, posting a career-high 117 combined tackles along with five pass deflections, a career-high two sacks, one interception, and two fumble recoveries. This marked his first full 17-game season in the NFL. In the playoffs, Chinn delivered a memorable performance, securing a game-sealing interception on Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff with 32 seconds remaining in the Divisional Round, helping the Commanders advance to the NFC Championship Game.

Las Vegas Raiders (2025–Present)

On March 13, 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Chinn to a two-year contract worth $16.25 million with $12.25 million guaranteed upon signing and a $4 million signing bonus. He joined a Raiders defense looking to improve their safety position after several seasons of inconsistency at the spot. Chinn brought his experience from playing multiple positions and his reputation as a reliable tackler to Las Vegas.

Chinn started all 15 of his appearances for the Raiders during the 2025 season, compiling two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one sack, and 114 combined tackles. His ability to contribute in both run defense and pass coverage remained evident throughout the season. However, his campaign ended prematurely when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 24 due to a back injury.

Playing Style and Strengths

Chinn is known for his versatility and physicality at the safety position. His background playing both safety and cornerback at Southern Illinois translated well to the NFL, where he has taken snaps at multiple positions including strong safety, free safety, nickelback, and linebacker in various sub-packages. Evaluators have praised his outstanding blend of size, speed, and instincts. Chinn demonstrates excellent range and the ability to make plays sideline to sideline, along with reliable tackling skills. His versatility has allowed defensive coordinators to utilize him in multiple roles depending on game situations and opponent matchups.

Jeremy Chinn Career Wins

Throughout his NFL career, Chinn has consistently contributed to his teams with high tackle totals and occasional splash plays. His most productive season came in 2024 with Washington when he recorded 117 combined tackles, along with two sacks, five pass deflections, and one interception while starting all 17 games. His 2025 season with Las Vegas saw him accumulate 114 tackles despite the injury-shortened campaign.

Career Highlights

Among Chinn’s most memorable performances is his two-touchdown game against the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, when he returned two fumble recoveries for scores in a single game. His rookie season produced 116 tackles, two touchdowns, and his first career interception. In the 2024 playoffs, Chinn made a critical play in the Divisional Round, intercepting Jared Goff to seal Washington Commanders victory over the Detroit Lions. His 2024 season represented his most complete campaign statistically, with career-highs in total tackles and sacks while playing every game.

Statistical Overview

Through his NFL career spanning five seasons, Chinn has accumulated 555 career tackles, seven sacks, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 24 pass deflections, three interceptions, and two touchdowns across 70 games played. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game, whether as a tackler, coverage defender, or playmaker, has made him a valuable asset at each of his three NFL franchises.

Jeremy Chinn Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Jeremy Chinn comes from a football family with significant NFL connections. His uncle is Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, who enjoyed an outstanding career with the Denver Broncos during the 1990s. Atwater’s induction into the Hall of Fame in 2020 cemented his legacy as one of the premier safeties of his era, and having such a decorated family member provided Jeremy with valuable guidance and insight into what it takes to succeed at the professional level.

Personal Life

Beyond his football career, Chinn maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his verified accounts. He continues to build upon the family legacy established by his uncle while carving out his own identity in the NFL. His journey from a multi-position player at Fishers High School to a proven NFL starter demonstrates his adaptability and work ethic.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a new chapter in Jeremy Chinn career as he joined the Las Vegas Raiders in March, signing a lucrative two-year contract worth $16.25 million. The contract reflected the Raiders confidence in his ability to stabilize their safety position after years of turnover at the spot. Chinn immediately became a leader in the defensive backfield and earned a starting role from the beginning of training camp.

Throughout the season, Chinn demonstrated the tackling prowess that had defined his career, accumulating 114 combined tackles across 15 starts. His versatility allowed the Raiders coaching staff to use him in various alignments, contributing to both the pass defense and run-stopping efforts. He forced two fumbles and recorded one sack, showing he could still make plays behind the line of scrimmage when needed. His physical style of play and willingness to撞 the ball carrier remained hallmarks of his game.

The season took an unfortunate turn when Chinn suffered a back injury that ultimately ended his campaign. On December 24, 2025, the Raiders placed him on season-ending injured reserve, prematurely concluding a season that showed promise. Despite the injury setback, Chinn had demonstrated enough during his 15 games to provide optimism for the future. The Raiders defense looked to build around his presence for the 2026 season as he worked to recover fully from the injury.