The Panthers didn't have a punter on the roster when they entered the league year. Now they have one of the best of this generation.
The team has agreed to terms with veteran Johnny Hekker on a new three-year deal.
The 32-year-old was released by the Rams this week.
Hekker completes their special teams units for the moment, as they have also re-signed kicker Zane Gonzalez and long snapper JJ Jansen.
Hekker was the NFL's All-Decade punter for the 2010s, and made four Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro four times.
He has a career gross average of 46.7 yards, and holds the record for the longest punt in a Super Bowl (65 yards). He also holds the NFL single-season records for net punt average (46.0) and punts inside the 20 (53) from his 2016 season.
Hekker can also be a threat through the air. He's 14-of-23 passing in his career, including a touchdown pass on a fake field goal in 2012.
By securing Gonzalez and Jansen and bringing in Hekker, the Panthers have given new special teams coordinator Chris Tabor a solid starting spot in his new gig.
Hekker holds a number of NFL records and is on the NFL's 2010's All-Decade team after playing 10 seasons with the Rams (2012-21).
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker, right, reacts after a failed fake punt-attempt gave the Seattle Seahawks possession of the ball in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts against the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Glendale, Ariz. The Rams won 30-23. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) attempts to throw a pass on a botched snap during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts the ball during the NFL Super Bowl LIII football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts in warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams won 34-14. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 29, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams' Matt Gay (1) kicks field goal before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Holding is Johnny Hekker. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) catches a snap before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
This is a 2020 photo of Johnny Hekker of the Los Angeles Rams NFL football team. This image reflects the Los Angeles Rams active roster as of Thursday, July 30, 2020 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Los Angeles Rams' Johnny Hekker (6) makes a 65-yard punt during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker smiles on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Los Angeles Rams' Greg Zuerlein (4) warms up with Johnny Hekker before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) celebrates during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Los Angeles Rams' Johnny Hekker (6) warms up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker kicks the ball during an NFL football game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
