James Winchester has become a household name for Kansas City Chiefs fans, not for scoring touchdowns but for his precision as a long snapper. A three-time Super Bowl champion, Winchester’s reliability on special teams has cemented his legacy in the NFL.
This article dives into his personal life, career journey, financial success, and the stats that define his decade-long career.
James Winchester’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | James Winchester |
| Nickname | Not publicly known |
| Born | August 6, 1989 (Washington, Oklahoma) |
| Age | 35 years old |
| College | University of Oklahoma |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’3” (1.91 m) |
| Turned Pro | 2013 |
| Net Worth | $9.76 million |
| Salary | $1,377,500 |
| Spouse | Emily Winchester (married since 2015) |
| Children | Son: Jase Michael Winchester (born 2017) |
| Instagram Profile | Private account (@emilywinchester) |
Early Career
James Winchester grew up in Washington, Oklahoma, where he honed his athletic skills as a wide receiver at Washington High School. Inspired by his father, Mike Winchester—a former Oklahoma Sooners punter—he pursued college football at the University of Oklahoma as a walk-on in 2008.
Initially aiming to play receiver, he quickly pivoted to long snapping after an injury to the team’s starter in 2009. His debut snap sailed over the punter’s head, resulting in a safety, but he persevered, earning the starting role by his sophomore year.
Despite balancing receiver drills, he focused on snapping, eventually securing a scholarship before his senior season. After graduating in 2012 with a degree in human relations, Winchester briefly worked in Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry as a landman.
His NFL journey began in 2013 when the Philadelphia Eagles signed him as an undrafted free agent, but he was cut during preseason. Undeterred, he continued training while working odd jobs, including coaching at local schools. The Kansas City Chiefs recognized his potential, signing him in 2015.
His reliability as a long snapper cemented his place on the roster, marking the start of a decade-long tenure that would include three Super Bowl wins. This gritty path—from walk-on to undrafted prospect to NFL stalwart—underscores his resilience and dedication to mastering a specialized role.
Professional Career
James Winchester’s NFL journey began in 2015 when the Kansas City Chiefs signed him after his brief 2013 preseason stint with the Philadelphia Eagles ended without a roster spot. Initially a backup, he seized the starting long snapper role by mid-2015, showcasing near-flawless accuracy.
His consistency earned a five-year, $4.45 million extension in 2017, making him one of the league’s highest-paid specialists at the time. Over the next decade, Winchester became synonymous with reliability, missing just one game (2021) due to COVID-19 protocols.
A defining moment came in 2017 when he forced a fumble on a punt return against the Eagles, highlighting his situational awareness beyond snapping. His role proved critical during the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl runs (LIV, LVII, LVIII), where his error-free snaps under pressure aided game-winning kicks. In 2021, he secured a two-year, $2.75 million deal, followed by a 2024 one-year, $1.377 million contract with $1.15 million guaranteed—a testament to his enduring value.
As of 2025, Winchester has played 164 regular-season games (131 tackles, 4 forced fumbles) and a franchise-record 18 playoff appearances, tying Travis Kelce. His 10-season tenure with Kansas City underscores the rarity of longevity for undrafted players, particularly in a role often unnoticed until mistakes occur.
Wife
James married Emily Winchester in 2015 after three years of dating. The couple welcomed their son, Jase, in 2017. Emily, a private person, has been a steady support system, especially after the tragic death of James’ father, Michael, in 2016. James often credits his family for keeping him grounded amid NFL pressures.
James Winchester’s Net Worth Details
James Winchester’s net worth is estimated to be $9.76 million as of 2025.
Contract
James Winchester’s 2024 contract with the Kansas City Chiefs solidifies his status as one of the NFL’s highest-paid long snappers. The one-year, $1.377 million deal includes $1.152 million guaranteed, comprising a $1.21 million base salary and a $167,500 signing bonus. This follows a 2021 extension (two years, $2.75 million) and his career-defining 2017 five-year, $4.45 million extension that established his financial security.
Over a decade with the Chiefs, Winchester’s contracts have prioritized guaranteed money, reflecting his irreplaceable role on special teams. His career earnings now total $9.76 million, with 2024 marking his third consecutive season earning over $1 million annually. The Chiefs’ commitment to retaining him—even amid punter changes—underscores his value in maintaining continuity for kicker Harrison Butker.
Salary
James Winchester’s 2024 salary of $1.377 million cements his status as one of the NFL’s highest-paid long snappers. The figure includes a $1.21 million base salary and a $167,500 signing bonus, with $1.152 million guaranteed—a rarity for specialists in his role.
This marks his third consecutive season earning over $1 million annually, a milestone that began with his 2017 extension (averaging $890,000 yearly) and continued through a 2021 deal worth $1.375 million per season.
While modest compared to star skill players, his earnings reflect the premium placed on reliability in special teams. Over 10 seasons, Winchester’s salary progression—from $435,000 in 2015 to his current seven-figure compensation—showcases the Chiefs’ long-term trust in his precision under pressure.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Earnings |
| 2015 | Chiefs | $435,000 |
| 2016 | Chiefs | $525,000 |
| 2017 | Chiefs | $1,125,000 |
| 2018 | Chiefs | $730,000 |
| 2019 | Chiefs | $830,000 |
| 2020 | Chiefs | $984,256 |
| 2021 | Chiefs | $1,465,000 |
| 2022 | Chiefs | $1,120,000 |
| 2023 | Chiefs | $1,165,000 |
| 2024 | Chiefs | $1,377,500 |
| Total | $9,756,756 |
Career Stats
| Category | Career Total |
| Games Played | 131 |
| Tackles | 14 (9 solo) |
| Forced Fumbles | 4 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 2 |
| Super Bowl Wins | 3 (LIV, LVII, LVIII) |
FAQs
1. What position does James Winchester play in the NFL?
James Winchester is a long snapper for the Kansas City Chiefs, specializing in delivering precise snaps for punts, field goals, and extra points. He joined the Chiefs in 2015 after initially signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
2. How many Super Bowls has James Winchester won?
Winchester has won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs: LIV (2020), LVII (2023), and LVIII (2024). He also appeared in Super Bowl LV (2021) and Super Bowl LIX (2025), making him the first long snapper to play in five Super Bowls.
3. Where did James Winchester play college football?
He played college football at the University of Oklahoma after graduating from Washington High School in Oklahoma. His father, Michael Winchester, was also a punter at Oklahoma during his collegiate career.
4. What makes James Winchester’s role unique?
As a long snapper, Winchester focuses on technical precision, aiming for consistent ball placement and rotation. His snaps eliminate the need for holders to adjust the ball’s laces, a skill praised by Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub for its reliability in high-pressure situations.
5. What records does James Winchester hold?
He holds the Chiefs’ franchise record for most postseason appearances (18 games, tied with Travis Kelce) and became the first long snapper to play in five Super Bowls. His career includes 164 regular-season games as of 2025, all with Kansas City.
6. Has James Winchester received individual accolades?
Despite his team success, Winchester has never been selected to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. His role’s anonymity aligns with his philosophy of embracing a “service position” to support teammates rather than seeking individual recognition.
7. What personal challenges has Winchester overcome?
He faced tragedy when his father, Michael, died in a 2014 plane crash. Winchester credits his Christian faith and perseverance for helping him navigate grief and maintain focus on his NFL career during this period.
8. How is James Winchester rated in Madden NFL 25?
His Madden NFL 25 overall rating is 31, reflecting the game’s limited metrics for evaluating long snappers. The rating emphasizes his blocking (60 impact blocking) and physical traits (80 speed, 86 jumping) over traditional stats.
9. What defines Winchester’s longevity in the NFL?
His meticulous attention to snap consistency and adaptability to weather conditions (e.g., rain, cold) have kept him with the Chiefs since 2015. Coaches emphasize his reliability in critical moments, such as game-winning kicks in playoff scenarios.
10. How does James Winchester view his role?
He describes long snapping as a “service role” focused on enabling teammates’ success rather than personal glory. Winchester prioritizes minimizing errors and contributing to clutch plays, such as Super Bowl-winning field goals, as his career’s most meaningful achievements.
