JJ Jansen, the Carolina Panthers’ longest-tenured player, will return for the start of the Frank Reich era.
On Monday, the 37-year-old Jansen re-signed with the Panthers on a one-year deal, the team announced. Jansen was set to test free agency in March.
Jansen set a new franchise record for games played in a Panthers uniform this past season. Jansen surpassed John Kasay’s streak of 221 games in Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished last season with 226 games played.
Jansen has played 14 seasons with the Panthers. He will now play for the fourth full-time head coach of his tenure. The veteran previously played for John Fox, Ron Rivera and Matt Rhule, along with interim head coaches Perry Fewell and Steve Wilks.
“I’d like to play four or five more years,” Jansen told The Observer in December. “I love playing a kids game. The relationships, the opportunity to compete with your friends in sports is so rare. It’s why everyone is playing pickleball and tennis and golf, and they’re betting — it’s all competition, right? So, it’s such a cool opportunity to continue to compete.”
During his career, Jansen has registered 21 special teams tackles, including 10 solo stops. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2013.
With Jansen now signed up for another season, the Panthers will turn to the rest of their free agents. The remaining group is headlined by center Bradley Bozeman, running back D’Onta Foreman and defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis.
