James Winchester (born August 6, 1989) is an American professional football long snapper for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. A three-time Super Bowl champion, he has won Super Bowls LIV, LVII, and LVIII with the Chiefs.
Winchester signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on August 11, 2013. He was released by the team on August 25 during the Eagles' first round of roster cutdowns.
Winchester was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on March 13, 2015. On January 23, 2017, Winchester signed a five-year, $4.45 million contract extension with the Chiefs.
On September 17, 2017, in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Winchester forced a fumble on a Darren Sproles punt return. The fumble was recovered by teammate Anthony Sherman and helped set up a field goal scoring drive.
Winchester won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 31âÂÂ20.
On November 23, 2021, Winchester signed a two-year contract extension with the Chiefs through the 2023 season.
Winchester won his second Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38âÂÂ35 in Super Bowl LVII.
Winchester won his third Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25âÂÂ22 in overtime in Super Bowl LVIII, giving him his second straight championship.
On March 11, 2024, the Chiefs re-signed Winchester to a one-year, $1.377 million extension. On March 10, 2025, Winchester re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year, $1.65 million extension. On March 11, 2026, Winchester re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year, $1.75 million contract.
Winchester is a Christian. He is married with three children. Winchester is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
His father Michael, who was a punter at Oklahoma from 1984 to 1985, was killed in a shooting at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City on November 15, 2016.