Free agent tight end Kellen Winslow says his career is definitely not over, and he already knows there are teams interested in him for the 2013 season.
Winslow said on NFL AM that Browns coach Rob Chudzinski, who coached him at the University of Miami, is interested in bringing him back to Cleveland. He also said the Raiders are still interested, and the Panthers have reached out as well.
“I’ve heard from the Raiders, the Panthers, the Browns -- with coach Chudzinski up there,” Winslow said. “I think I could fit in anywhere, though. I’m a mismatch. I’m basically a basketball player playing tight end.”
Last year Winslow was traded from the Buccaneers to the Seahawks in May, then was released by Seattle just before the start of the regular season. He later caught on with the Patriots and stayed in New England long enough to play in one game and catch one pass.
“I got cut a day after cuts, so it was real tough, then I signed with the Patriots for a week. It just didn’t work out there, it just wasn’t the right time,” Winslow said.
It’s fair to wonder whether it will ever be the right time for Winslow, as the knee problems that have hampered him ever since a motorcycle accident ended his 2005 season before it started aren’t going to get any better as he approaches 30. But Winslow says he’s staying in shape and confident he’ll keep playing.
“I definitely plan on playing next season. I’ve been working hard. I got into cycling, actually -- got my Lance Armstrong on, and it’s really helping me out,” Winslow said.
Whatever else happens, it’s good to know that Winslow is spending his offseasons on a bicycle, rather than a motorcycle.