The Carolina Panthers kept long snapper J.J. Jansen out of free agency by signing him to a five-year contract on Wednesday.
The deal was estimated to be worth approximately $5.5 million, The Charlotte Observer reported. Jansen was scheduled to become a free agent in March.
Jansen has served as the Panthers’ long snapper since he came to Carolina from the Green Bay Packers in a 2009 trade for a conditional draft choice.
The signing was the Panthers’ first since losing to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
“(Former general manager) Marty Hurney traded for me. I hadn’t even played in a regular season game, but he saw something in me that he was willing to trade for,” Jansen said. “I’ve just always felt like it’s my job to take care of this position and make it easy on the punter and kicker.”
Jansen has made only one bad snap in his seven years with the Panthers. In 2010, the ball slipped out of his hands on a punt during a game against the New York Giants.
“He’s consistent, and that’s the first thing you look for,” Carolina special teams coordinator Bruce DeHaven said. “He’s earned this. He affects the entire special teams. He’s got some size, he’s very smart and he’s got a lot of leadership ability. I can’t say enough great things about him.”
The 30-year-old Jansen has signed two extensions since he came to the Panthers after playing college football at Notre Dame.
“I feel honored that Coach (Ron) Rivera, Mr. (Dave) Gettleman and Mr. (Jerry) Richardson trust me in the role that I play on this team,” Jansen said. “I want to be here. It’s a great organization. We’ve made Charlotte our home for the past seven years and going forward long after football is done, this will be home for us.”