For over a decade, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ lengthy snapper James Winchester has been a mannequin of consistency. As he enters his eleventh NFL season — all of it Kansas Metropolis — Winchester nonetheless finds himself in awe of his journey.
“I’d have referred to as you loopy in the event you would have mentioned I’d be going into Yr 11, having had the chance to play in 5 Tremendous Bowls and be part of three championships,” Winchester instructed the media throughout a Zoom press availability on Thursday. “That’s not together with all of the AFC West championships and [other] issues that we’ve received to be part of… it’s been a dream come true.”
Whereas longevity is uncommon in a company usually referred to as the “Not For Lengthy” league, that’s precisely what Winchester has discovered with the Chiefs. In March, the crew re-signed him to a one-year, $1.65 million contract. He credit head coach Andy Reid and particular groups coordinator Dave Toub, whose presence within the group has supplied him with stability all through his profession.
“The longer you play, you understand [that in] gamers, coaches [and] workers, there’s only a huge turnover,” Winchester defined. “I really feel like in Kansas Metropolis, I’ve been lucky to be with these guys from the highest down. Our head coach hasn’t modified, and then you definitely run by way of probably the greatest coordinators to ever do it in Dave Toub. Attending to play for that man? It doesn’t get any higher than that.”
At this stage of his profession, the 35-year-old Winchester isn’t targeted on multi-year contracts or long-term safety. He’s merely grateful to maintain doing what he loves — with the crew he loves — one season at a time.
“I feel early in your profession, you’re extra involved with getting that huge deal and signing for a number of years,” he mentioned. “However for me, I’m thrilled to simply be again on the crew one yr at a time… There’s nowhere else that I’d somewhat be. There’s so many who would like to play for a company like Kansas Metropolis. So having the ability to try this for an additional yr? It was a no brainer.”
And when youthful gamers ask him about his longevity, Winchester passes alongside recommendation he obtained from former Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, who performed 17 seasons within the NFL — together with his first 15 in Kansas Metropolis.
“The youthful guys ask me, ‘How did you play 11 years?’ — and I’m like, ‘I’m going to provide the Dustin Colquitt reply: I don’t know,’” Winchester mentioned with a smile. “Lots of issues have lined up in my favor, and I proceed to simply attempt to good my craft [and] work laborious. [I’ve] been lucky sufficient to be surrounded by a variety of nice coaches and teammates which have allowed us to have some wonderful success.”
