KC Chiefs lock up long snapper James Winchester to two-year extension

While it’s not the sort of signing that’s going to make waves in the NFL news cycle, the Kansas City Chiefs know what it means to value the production and professionalism of role players—the guys that form the glue of the roster and help hold it all together. That’s why they rewarded long snapper James Winchester with a two-year extension on Tuesday.

According to Adam Schefter, Winchester is now going to be the highest-paid long snapper in the game. Matt Verderame from FanSided has the official figures at $1.35M per season in both 2022 and 2023 “with a signing bonus attached”.

Winchester has been with the Chiefs since 2015 when he first signed with the team. The Chiefs loved his performance a couple years later enough to offer him a lengthy contract extension at the time of five seasons worth just under $1 million per year. That was back in 2017 and with free agency looming for Winchester, the team has now sewed him up for another two seasons.

The Philadelphia Eagles were the first team to employ Winchester at the pro level back in 2013 but he never made the active roster, which meant Winchester sat out of the league completely waiting for his chance for two full seasons before finding a permanent home in Kansas City. Since then, however, Winchester has played in 107 consecutive games for the Chiefs while securing an overlooked but important position within Dave Toub’s special teams units.

Winchester, who went to Oklahoma, will be 34 years old when the contract extension runs out after the 2023 season.