CHARLOTTE — In the Carolinas, some things are simply inevitable: the humidity of a summer afternoon, the crunch of autumn leaves, and No. 44 lining up under center to deliver another perfect spiral.
The Carolina Panthers ensured that last tradition would continue on Tuesday, announcing the re-signing of legendary long snapper JJ Jansen to a one-year contract for the 2026 season . The move brings the 40-year-old back for his 18th campaign with the organization, extending a record-setting career that has become the very definition of longevity and leadership in Charlotte.
The Ironman of Charlotte
Jansen’s return is more than just a procedural special teams transaction; it is a testament to sustained excellence. Acquired in a trade with the Green Bay Packers back in 2009, Jansen has since etched his name atop the franchise’s record books. With 277 games played in a Panthers uniform, he holds the franchise record—a mark he seized from another Panthers legend, John Kasay, during the 2022 season.
His 277 appearances place him 27th on the NFL’s all-time games played list, a remarkable feat for a player at a position that requires mechanical precision and durability . Along the way, Jansen has earned a Pro Bowl selection (2013) and has been a cornerstone of four division-winning teams, including the 2015 squad that marched all the way to Super Bowl 50 and the resurgent 2025 team that brought playoff football back to Bank of America Stadium.
“Everlasting” Impact
On the field, his value is measured in consistency. In a league where the exchange between center and holder or punter is often taken for granted until it goes wrong, Jansen has provided two decades of stability. Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith put it best late last season, joking, “He’s everlasting. There’s no proof that he’s not a robot. Nobody knows that he is not AI” .
But for a young Panthers team that just snapped a seven-year playoff drought, Jansen’s impact transcends his snapping duties. As the only player on the roster who remembers the John Fox era, the entirety of the Ron Rivera Super Bowl run, and the lean years of the early 2020s, he serves as a living bridge to the franchise’s past and a guide for its future.
The Voice in the Room
Head coach Dave Canales has leaned heavily on Jansen’s insight. As the team established its identity during the 2025 season, Jansen was named a permanent team captain alongside Bryce Young and Derrick Brown, serving on the coach’s leadership council . When the Panthers needed to regroup after tough losses, Jansen was in the room, helping to translate the coach’s message into player-led accountability.
“At the end of the day, it starts with Coach Canales, and the vision he sets for the team,” Jansen said following the team’s wild-card loss to the Rams in January. “He’s a dreamer, so he likes to paint this like what it could be”
That veteran perspective is crucial for a roster looking to build on its 2025 NFC South title. Jansen is one of the few players who has seen what a “full run” looks like, and his desire to experience it again is what fuels his return.
“I’ve always said I wanted to be a part of one more full run all the way up,” Jansen stated before the playoffs last month. “This team’s still got a lot of climbing to do, and it’s a good group, and I want to be a part of the full climb.”
Climbing the Mountain
As Jansen signs his sixth consecutive one-year deal, he does so with the clear intention of finishing what this young team started . He will spend his offseason balancing training with broadcasting duties, but his focus remains firmly on the gridiron.
The Panthers are banking on the idea that his presence in the locker room is just as valuable as his accuracy on the field. In a league obsessed with speed and youth, JJ Jansen remains the exception: the ageless wonder, the historical record holder, and the steady hand guiding a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
And for at least one more year in Charlotte, the snaps and the legacy will continue.
