Kansas City Chiefs Release Eric Winston
By Josh Sanchez
As soon as the Kansas City Chiefs used the franchise tag to keep left tackle Branden Albert on the roster for another year, many speculated that the move meant the Chiefs would not be using their first-overall pick on Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel since they had a solid option at both tackle positions with Eric Winston holding down the right side.
However, the Chiefs now have an opening at the tackle position.
Per Pro Football Talk, Kansas City has decided to part ways with Winston, once again opening the door for Joeckel to the Chiefs.
Chiefs are releasing RT Eric Winston, per league source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 7, 2013
If the report is true, Winston will be one of the top available offensive lineman in the 2013 free agency class.
The move to release Winston could also signal a position change for Albert. The Chiefs could decide to move Albert to right tackle and then plug Joeckel or Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher in at left tackle.
Kansas City is also interested in upgrading at the left guard position during the free agency period. By bringing in a player at the guard position, Jeff Allen would move to a backup role.