Getty ImagesEric Winston is on the way out in Houston.
Winston, an offensive tackle who has started all 16 games for five straight seasons, wrote on Twitter on Monday evening that the Texans informed him they’re letting him go.
We noted a week ago that Winston’s $5.5 million base salary made him a candidate to be asked to take a pay cut or restructure his contract, but the Texans’ decision to release him today still comes as a surprise. It was a shock to Winston.
“Unfortunately I have bad news,” Winston wrote. “The Texans have decided to release me today. Although it is a surprise, I have nothing but positive memories and great relationships that I have built over the years. While my future seems uncertain, I am confident I will land on my feet. Let me say thank you to Mr. McNair and the whole Texan organization. They have had big role in the player and person I have become. And last but not least to my fans and teammates. You guys are the absolute best! I will miss all of you more than you know.”
Now Winston becomes an unrestricted free agent, joining Levi Brown as the second starting offensive tackle to join the free agent market today.
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G-Men
WOW! One of the best RT’s in the game.
Welcome to Oakland as the Right Tackle.
Now there’s a tackle you people should want!
Hello Cleveland !
Another OT getting cut? Nice…Bills need to act on one of these guys.
Raiders?
Vikings…pick him up and draft Kalil for classic bookends!
Smart move for miami to bring him back to his college town where he won a national title. Our biggest need is RT
Seattle can use you big guy. Give John Schneider a call.
Welcome to the Patriots !
Please get him, Philly.
Cleveland–Pashos cut! Sign Winston!
Probably going to Oakland. They need a RT with Barnes gone, and two unproven 2nd and 3rd year player. Besides that Houston’s QB coach is now the OC and their o-line coach is now with Oakland.
Cards need him to protect Peyton!!!
Dang, didn’t see this one coming at all. He’s been decent, but not great the last couple of years. Some in Houston thought he’d move to Guard if they lost Briesel.
miami if doesnt ask for much, we only have 14mil plus hes gotta prove he’s not a scheme player,otherwise we could just draft someone or give murtha a chance
He’s overrated. Most expendable guy on texans oline. Good run blocker in zone scheme. Gets beat way too much in pass game
Just the kind of guy the Chiefs are looking for. This is a Pioli-style RT, arguably the Chiefs’ biggest need. They have the room and the need, so I can see this happening quickly. Frees them up to select a NT, QB, or HB in the draft.
Cant remember a time when there were so many talented free agents..and the list keeps on growing.
Cleveland more info! Pashos= 12 million, 2 yrs. and he missed 75% of the games because of injuries. Winston= 5.5 million@yr, 5 yrs, 16 games a yr. no misses, on one of the best running lines in the NFL. Do the math Heckart!
Wayne Hunter’s starting prospects are getting bleaker and bleaker. Jets could use a solid right tackle, particularly since Sanchez fumbles the ball like he just got done eating buttered popcorn.
Tomorrow is getting more interesting by the minute.
there’s always a reason a team let’s a guy like this go but my phins need a right tackle in the worst way…
Miami
Texans Assistant O-line Coach and QB Coach went to Oakland, You have to think Oakland is a very possible landing spot.
Hell of a player. Not sure why they’d let him go, the offensive line is the heart of that team.
Broncos.
John Elway, please make this happen.
Even though his play slipped a bit in 2011 (he gave up increased sacks in 3 straight years) he was still solid at RT. Team leader and solid citizen to boot.
Surprising move considering continuity on OL is big for a zone blocking team who lacks vocal offensive leaders.
Vikings will get him!
Oakland seems like a logical landing spot for Winston (if he doesn’t re-sign with the Texans).
The Raiders new offensive line coach was the assistant O-line coach for the Texans last season and the new O-coordinator, Greg Knapp, was with the Texans as QB coach last year.
However, with Reggie McKenzie as the new Raiders GM, I don’t expect Oakland to be writing big checks anymore. In fact, I expect Oakland to be very frugal these days so big names like Winston may not be on Oakland’s radar at all.
What are they thinking
Can one of these guys replace Wayne Hunter please!!!
This has got to be a no brainer for Ireland. I know that sounds a little optimistic but how can the Dolphins not make this move ?
“Pioli-style RT”
LMAO
Pioli tackles are the best, unlike the rest of the league’s short-armed, slow-footed tackles
thank you Scott for thinking outside the box on RT’s
Bucs need to throw piles of cash at this guy.
Man I can’t wait for tomorrow. This is the biggest free agency in a long time.
I could see the Chiefs overpaying this guy to try and justify being so dysfunctional that Manning wouldn’t even visit regardless of the fact that they’re the only team that could sign him and still be 20 million under the cap.
Jacksonville is his landing spot. Stay in AFC South baby!!!
And the one position of need for Oaklands O-Line!
Future Redskin waiting to happen! Sorry but he would rather be on a Kyle Shanahan offense protecting RG3.
Kick Truebloods useless ass to the curb and spend the money Dominik!
Cowboys Cowboys!!!
And they just cut Matt Lienart too!
Giants! please make this happen Jerry Reese.
Cleveland fans. No worthwhile FA with options will want to come to Cleveland. 1. The city is cursed. 2. The city is miserable 3. The browns are horrible year in and out. 4. The city is cursed
Reif would be cheaper in the draft but there is no guarantee he would be available to the Dolphins. The Could get Winston and free up their first pick for Tannehill if he makes it past the Browns.
Is it just me or is the NFL able to make huge deals with players and if they don’t pan out it’s no big deal because it’s easy to let them go. What’s the answer?
Raiders? Big Checks? How about the Raiders worry about getting under the cap first…
As a Texans fan – WTF Texans? One of the best linemen on one of
The best/most productive O-Lines and we cut him? No trade? We just signed Arian and cut his roadl grader? Damn! I had high hopes for this year!
I love all the Raiders fans thinking they have a chance to sign him. Your team is like 20 mill over the cap!
Seems like Washington would be a fit given they run basically the same offense and our current RT is always injured. Sound like he wouldn’t break the bank either and given Washtington’s current screwing over by the league, errrr, I mean salary cap limitations, it may make sense financially.
Philly, get him!!!
Seems like a lot of armchair GMs are placing too much faith in a player following an old coach. Money talks.
$20 million over? Where did you see that number?
PLEASE let Arizona sign him. They are going to let Levi Brown walk, as they should, so they need a new tackle. Sign Winston and then draft a tackle with their first pick.
Arizona is willing to sign Levi to a deal worth between 6-7 million. Give Winston a 3 year, 19 million dollar deal instead and they’d be golden.
Looks like Houston may want to try and keep super mario.
depending in price, the Chargers might look at him even though they have one at RT…
Miami will be or should be bidders for you. Use $ that would have gone to bring back RG Vernon Carey to sign RT Eric and the draft a guard in the 2nd or 3rd.