The Kansas City Chiefs are trying to bounce back after a rough 2025 season. They went 6-11, their worst record since 2012, and that snapped a playoff streak that had been going for over a decade.
Patrick Mahomes and the offense never really clicked, but one guy in Kansas City has stayed locked in the whole time.
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Long snapper James Winchester is coming back for a 12th season. The Chiefs brought him back, keeping the team’s longest-tenured player around. At least until they figure out what is happening with Travis Kelce.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Winchester agreed to a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth $1.75 million, maintaining his status as the league’s highest-paid long snapper.
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The #Chiefs have agreed to terms to bring back long snapper James Winchester, per source, as he gets a 1-year, $1.75M fully guaranteed deal. This keeps him as the NFL’s highest paid long snapper. pic.twitter.com/zCzMR9wSPo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2026
Winchester’s run in Kansas City has turned into one of the quieter success stories in the franchise. He’s 36 now and won the starting job back in 2015 after a training camp battle.
He has not given it up since. By the time the 2026 season starts, he’ll be 37, but he’s still getting it done.
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He’s one of only four players on the current 90-man offseason roster who were around for all three of Kansas City’s recent Super Bowl wins.
Kansas City Chiefs long snapper James Winchester
Kansas City Chiefs long snapper James Winchester walks from the locker room to the fields prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The others are Mahomes, Harrison Butker, and Chris Jones. Winchester has also been there in January.
He’s played in 25 postseason games, which ties Kelce for the most in franchise history. Not bad for a long snapper who just keeps showing up.
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