CHARLOTTE – The Panthers kicked off signing season by bringing back their longest-tenured player on Wednesday.
They agreed to terms on a one-year deal with JJ Jansen, who's served as the team's long snapper the past 13 seasons.
Jansen, who's appeared in 209 career games, could break kicker John Kasay's franchise record of 221 games played in the upcoming season.
Jansen, 36, will likely again compete with 2021 sixth-round pick Thomas Fletcher for the lone long snapper spot on the roster. Fletcher spent all of last season on injured reserve.
Originally acquired in a trade with the Packers for a conditional 2011 seventh-round draft choice, Jansen hasn't had a bad snap since the 2010 opener.
With Jansen's deal settled, the Panthers now have 21 players eligible for unrestricted free agency.
View photos of long snapper J.J. Jansen throughout his career in Carolina. Jansen came to Carolina in 2009 and is set to go down as the longest-tenured Panther in history.