The 2016 NFL offseason begins with a bang! After entering the new season as an impending free agent, early today J.J. Jansen signed a 5-year, 5.5 million dollar extension! We resigned the 30-year old long snapper, all right!
In all seriousness, this is exactly the type of move you expect Panthers General Manager, Dave Gettleman, to make. This is a simple contract that makes sense and fills a need. J.J. is a known commodity after spending seven years with the team. He performs his job reliably and is even a one-time Pro Bowler. Plus every team needs a long snapper. Jansen receives a slight pay raise, but his cap hit isn't anything exorbitant, coming in at about 1.1 million per season. His previous contract was a four-year deal averaging 900k per season, which he played out this past season.
I think it's a good move, but don't let me tell you what to think. J.J. is now the 4th highest paid long snapper in the league with his new deal, is he really worth all that much? The team could sign a younger long snapper for half that amount while saving 500k against the cap or so, it's not like good long snappers are that hard to find.
Tell us what you think below.