For the second time today, a long snapper has inked an extension. According to Terez A. Paylor of KansasCity.com, the Chiefs have signed special teamer James Winchester to a new contract. Details are unknown, but we shouldn’t expect a giant raise for the 27-year-old. Winchester’s 2016 base salary was $525K, per OverTheCap.com.
The long snapper caught on with the Eagles after going undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2013. After spending much of that season on the practice squad, Winchester found himself out of the NFL in 2014. Chiefs long-time long snapper Thomas Gafford left the team following the 2014 season, and the organization subsequently inked Winchester. The special teamer proceeded to appear in every game over the past two seasons.
Winchester has contributed positively to the Chiefs impressive special teams unit in 2015 and 2016. The long snapper had a key fumble recovery during his team’s overtime victory over the Broncos earlier this season.
Winchester’s father, Michael, was a punter at Oklahoma during the 1980s. Michael was tragically killed in a shooting at Will Rogers World Airport this past November.