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Long snapper JJ Jansen isn’t the oldest player to ever suit up in the NFL or for the Carolina Panthers — not even close. But make no mistake: he’s one of the grizzled ironmen of the league, and he’s still hunting history.
Jansen is 40 years old — or in football years? That’s 17 brutal seasons, 277 battles fought in Panthers colors.
And now it’s official: the veteran snapper is running it back for Season No. 18 in North Carolina. The Panthers made the announcement Tuesday. This will make him the third player in franchise history to play a game as a 40-year-old.
There’s even a shot he could take down the legendary mark set by former Raiders quarterback and kicker George Blanda, who walked away from the game at 48 years old — the oldest player in NFL history.
From Undrafted Free Agent to Franchise Legend
@AdamSchefter JJ Jansen’s rookie season:
– Lions went 0-16
– John Harbaugh was in his 1st year in BAL
– Lane Kiffin was coaching the Raiders
– Chad Pennington won CPOY
– AT&T Stadium hadn’t opened yet
JJ Jansen entered the league the hard way in 2008 — signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers. No draft spotlight. No guarantees. Just a shot.
He stepped onto the gridiron in four preseason games, battling for a roster spot. But his entire 2008 campaign was spent on the sidelines since Jansen reverted to injured reserve the next day where he remained for the entire 2008 season.
Then came the turning point. On April 13, 2009, Green Bay traded Jansen to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. The rest? Pure staying power.
According to Darin Gantt of panthers.com, JJ Jansen currently ranks 27th on the NFL’s all-time games played list with 277 appearances — a testament to durability, discipline, and elite consistency. If he suits up for the full season, the veteran long snapper would climb into the top 20 in league history, adding another milestone to an already ironclad résumé.
JJ Jansen Signed a One-Year Deal With Carolina
GettyAs the longest-serving player in franchise history, JJ Jansen is coming back for his 18th season.
The Notre Dame alum was set to test the unrestricted free agent market — along with 17 other teammates — in March before agreeing to the new deal. He has now signed his sixth consecutive one-year deal with the team.
With JJ Jansen locked in, the Carolina Panthers are set to bring back at least two key special teams pieces for the upcoming season.
Second-year kicker Ryan Fitzgerald inked a three-year deal as an undrafted free agent last offseason and remains part of the plan moving forward.
Meanwhile, veteran punter Sam Martin is currently one of 17 Panthers players scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency in March, leaving his future in Carolina still up in the air.
The veteran long snapper will be back inside Bank of America Stadium this spring as the Carolina Panthers kick off their offseason program.
But he won’t just be grinding on the field — he’ll also step into the broadcast booth, serving as a color commentator for three Indoor Football League games. No scheduling conflicts, though. Jansen lined up his media commitments carefully, making sure they won’t interfere with the Panthers’ organized team activities in May.
JJ Jansen brings far more than flawless snaps to the table. His steadiness, professionalism, and relentless commitment to the process — reflected in his three selections as team captain — carry real weight inside a young locker room. For a developing roster, that kind of leadership is invaluable. It goes beyond clean kicks and punts; it sets the standard.
And now, the journey rolls on. The stories aren’t finished — Jansen is still writing them, turning the page to yet another chapter in a career built on durability and devotion.
Fabienne Lampe Fabienne Lampe is a German sports journalist, covering the NFL, College Football, NBA, and Formula 1 for Heavy Sports. Lampe has years of experience covering the NFL, especially the Atlanta Falcons as their sole German reporter. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in the NFL, including Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Lampe also hosts a Formula 1 podcast and works as a play-by-play announcer. More about Fabienne Lampe
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