Carolina Panthers
· 2026-07-11
Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen told the NFL Daily podcast that the Pittsburgh Steelers will likely finish as an unremarkable 9-8 club in 2026, highlighting his veteran perspective on a division rival.
Jansen, entering his 18th NFL season and the league’s longest‑tenured active player, labeled the Steelers “uninteresting” and projected a modest 9‑8 record. He noted the team could win games they shouldn’t and lose ones they should, calling the outlook “a 9‑8, 10‑7, 7‑10 kind of team.”
Even though Jansen’s comments focus on Pittsburgh, his status as the Panthers’ all‑time games‑played leader (277) gives his opinion weight in Charlotte. Panthers supporters watch his take because it reflects how a seasoned veteran perceives a key AFC North opponent that could face the Panthers in future inter‑conference matchups.
The Steelers have posted nine to ten wins in six of the last eight seasons and haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 AFC Championship run. Mike Tomlin has avoided losing seasons, yet the franchise still struggles to break past the regular‑season ceiling, prompting the hire of Mike McCarthy and a possible reunion with Aaron Rodgers.
The Panthers sit 4th in the NFC with an 8‑9 record and are on a two‑game losing streak as of July 11, 2026. Their next test comes against the Chicago Bears on September 13, 2026, a game that could shift momentum before any potential clash with Pittsburgh later in the year.
If Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh under McCarthy, the team could defy the “uninteresting” label by finding a late‑season spark. A stronger finish would not only silence skeptics like Jansen but also give the Steelers a chance to finally break their playoff drought.