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JJ Jansen, Carolina Panthers ‘Consistent’ Long Snapper, Signs 5-Year Contract

By Jonathan Franks
Published on: 08:59 PST, Feb 17, 2016

NFL player JJ Jansen will not have to worry about dealing with the free agency after all.

NBC Sports reports that the Carolina Panthers long snapper signed a five-year contract with the 2015 NFC Championship team.

According to the report, the Panthers made the official announcement on Wednesday. If a deal was not made, JJ Jansen was on-board to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

However, based on the compliments and commendations given by special teams coordinator Bruce DeHaven, the Carolina Panthers apparently made sure that JJ Jansen would continue to wear a Panthers jersey for at least another five seasons.

“[JJ Jansen’s] consistent and that’s the first thing you look for. He’s earned this. He affects the entire special teams. He’s got some size, he’s very smart and he’s got a lot of leadership ability. I can’t say enough great things about him.”

The thought that JJ Jansen is consistent on the field is probably a major understatement, especially when you consider the fact that the 30-year-old long snapper has played in 112 consecutive regular season games for the Panthers. The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish player even made it to the Pro Bowl during the 2013 season.

JJ Jansen
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

JJ Jansen shared his thoughts and feelings about the new contract and sticking with the Carolina Panthers for another five years in a video posted on the team’s official website.

“I just feel really honored… It’s a great group of guys and I’m just really honored that I get to be part of the group that continues what we’ve really been working towards not only this past season but really the five years since Coach Rivera got here.”

Jansen further explained that his love for the Carolina Panthers goes far beyond the NFL organization, especially since he and his wife have apparently made Charlotte, NC, their long-term home.

“We love Charlotte – my wife [Laura Jansen] and I. It’s a great place to be. I want to be here. That works in our favor. It’s a great organization, so the fact that we’ve made Charlotte our home for the past 7 years and going forward long after football’s done, this will be home for us. It makes you just want to be here even more… It’s just a great organization. Far as I’m concerned, I don’t know who wouldn’t want to be a part of it.”

The Carolina Panthers also shared the great news about JJ Jansen signing his multi-year deal with a number of different tweets on Wednesday.

Jeffrey “JJ” Jansen first joined the NFL back in 2008. Even though he was not selected in the 2008 NFL Draft, JJ Jansen later signed with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers traded Jansen in April 2009 in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and that was when his journey with the Carolina Panthers first began.

JJ Jansen
(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

He signed his first contract extension with the Panthers back in February 2012. According to ESPN, Jansen’s agent confirmed that he “wanted to get this done before free agency” and was “certainly excited about returning to the Panthers.” During his first three seasons with the Panthers, JJ Jansen reportedly just had one bad snap, a vital trait for any successful long snapper.

The Carolina Panthers fell short of a Super Bowl victory earlier this month when the team faced the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl 50. However, JJ Jansen and quarterback Cam Newton will more than likely be ready and willing to help the Panthers fight to defend their NFC Championship in the upcoming 2016-17 season.

[Image Credit: AP Photo]

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