[Kansas City.com] The reshaping of the Chiefs has continued with the release of offensive tackle Eric Winston.
Winston, who spent just one season with the team, confirmed the club’s move by phone Wednesday night. But he said until he meets with general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid on Thursday, he did not want to comment further other than to express his appreciation for his time in Kansas City.
“Even though it was an incredibly tough year on and off the field last year, I wouldn’t trade the relationships I made in Kansas City and the overall experience I had for anything,” Winston said on his Twitter account. “It was an honor to be a Chief.”
Winston was one of former Chiefs’ general manager Scott Pioli’s major free agent signings in the 2012 offseason. He signed a four-year contract worth $22 million and was due to earn $4.9 million in 2013 and count $6.5 million against the salary cap.
Winston started all 16 games for the Chiefs last season, 15 at right tackle and one at right guard due to an injury to Jon Asamoah.
I didn’t like it when he blew up and called out the fans. After that I started watching him more closely and he seemed to be a very weak player who gave up on plays often. Effort wasn’t there. Now they can draft a top tackle for right side and if we don’t keep Albert next year, we can move him over to the left side. I think it was a good move.
Comment by Jeff in VA — March 8, 2013 @ 10:38 am
I didn’t like when he called out the fans either. I think for that reason alone he should be cut because he is our season in a nutshell with that soundbite. We all as KC Chiefs need to move on from that and cutting him was a symbolic way of transition from the past to the future for players beyond Alex Smith before the draft. I wonder who they will select with the #1 pick! who could it be?
Comment by Devon — March 9, 2013 @ 2:16 am