For many football players, the goal is to one day play in the NFL. Players work their whole lives in the hope of getting a chance at playing in an NFL game. Just that alone is an achievement in itself. But some are lucky and talented enough to find stability and longevity in the NFL and can make a lucrative career.
When it comes to the case of Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen, he was able to find something he was really good at and parlay that skill into a long, fruitful career in the NFL. Let’s take a closer look at how long Jansen has been able to stay in the NFL, as well as the impressive streak of games he’s been able to play with one franchise.
J.J. Jansen’s NFL Career
Jansen came into the NFL in 2008 as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame. Although he wasn’t drafted that year, he signed a deal with the Green Bay Packers shortly after.
Oddly enough, Jansen never played a game for the Packers and was actually traded to the Panthers for a conditional pick in the 2011 NFL Draft on April 13, 2009. Trading an undrafted player who never played a game for your franchise is already a peculiar move. But the fact that Jansen was able to then turn that trade into the best move of his career is even more fascinating.
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Jansen has been with the Panthers ever since, a time that included him being selected as a Pro Bowler in 2023. Jansen is now in his 15th season in the NFL, all with the Panthers. He’s not only become a staple for the Panthers franchise, but he is in the record books as well.
Jansen Owns Panthers’ Record for Consecutive Games
On November 27, 2022, Jansen tied former longtime Panthers kicker John Kasay for most games played for the franchise with 221 games and has since broken that record. Jansen is set to play his 235th consecutive game for the franchise Nov. 9 against the Chicago Bears.
To be a long snapper in the NFL, you need to be meticulous, consistent, and reliable. There is zero question that Jansen has been all of that and more for the Panthers from Day 1 and continues to be so well into his second decade with the team.
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