A long-snapper deal: James Winchester is returning to the #Chiefs on a 1-year deal for $1.65M, fully guaranteed, source said.

The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to terms on the return of a trusted veteran ahead of free agency with long snapper James Winchester.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Winchester is returning to Kansas City on a 1-year, $1.65 million fully guaranteed deal. The 35-year-old has been with the Chiefs since 2015, playing an essential role in the last three Super Bowl titles. Winchester is one of the core players of Kansas City's successful run over the past decade, dating back to before the Patrick Mahomes era.

Since going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, Winchester has played 164 career regular-season games and remains a steady presence on special teams. He shares the team's record of 25 postseason games played with teammate Travis Kelce. The recent contract tender of punter Matt Araiza keeps the tandem together, averaging 48.8 gross yards and 41.5 net yards per punt last season.

Winchester joins, Nick Bolton, Trey Smith, and Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown as veterans returning to Kansas City for the 2025 season.