Carolina Panthers bring back long-snapper J.J. Jansen for 15th season with team

One of the NFL’s oldest, most loyal and most reliable players is coming back for at least another season. The Carolina Panthers announced Monday that veteran long-snapper J.J. Jansen will return in 2023-24 to hike the ball for his 15th season. Here was their announcement of Jansen’s return:

“J.J. Jansen is going to have a chance to break the record, which is currently held by J.J. Jansen. The Panthers signed the veteran long snapper to a one-year deal Monday to return for another season, bringing the team’s longest-tenured player back for 2023.”

Jansen broke the all-time Panthers record for games played last season, eclipsing the previous 221 mark set by John Kasay by appearing in his 226th game in Week 18 this past year. An even crazier statistic for Jansen is that he has never missed a game in his career. He’s played in every single regular season and postseason contest since taking over the long-snapping job back in 2009.

The Panthers team site also included these quotes from Jansen, who was asked if he prioritized a return to Carolina this offseason:

“No doubt about it. We, my wife and I, we love Charlotte, and we love the Panthers organization. We’re rooted here, and going into my 15th year is something I don’t take for granted.”

A fan favorite back in the blue and black for at least one more go-around.

Panthers hire Shawn Jefferson as new WR coach

The Carolina Panthers have made another addition to their coaching staff. According to ESPN NFL insider Field Yates, the Panthers have hired Shawn Jefferson to be their new wide receivers coach.

Jefferson is a former NFL receiver in his own right, spending 13 seasons in the league. Over his 13 year career, he has played for a total of four teams in the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers. He ended his NFL career with 470 receptions, 7023 yards, and 29 touchdowns and was even as named to the Patriots all-decade team.

Since hanging up his shoulder pads in 2003, Jefferson has spent 17 years on NFL sidelines as an assistant or a coach. His coaching journey started off with the last team he played for, Detroit, as an offensive assistant in 2006. From there, he has held various positions with the Lions along with coaching stops with the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and most recently, the Arizona Cardinals. In his last season in Arizona, Jefferson was for franchises associate head coach and wide receivers coach.