ARIZONA CARDINALS

Frustration behind him, Arizona Cardinals’ tackle Eric Winston ready to go

Jul 26, 2013, 10:31 PM | Updated: Jul 27, 2013, 12:25 am

Sixteen months ago, Eric Winston had just signed a four-year, $22 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last season, Winston had a solid year for Kansas City, starting all 16 games at right tackle.

But the Chiefs, armed with the number one pick in the draft, opted to cut the seven-year veteran and select offensive tackle Eric Fisher out of Central Michigan.

After four months on the market, Winston signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals and took the field with his new team for the first time Friday in Glendale.

Winston is taking the frustrating free agency period with a grain of salt.

“I think anytime you ‘don’t get what you want,’ you’re going to be disappointed,” he said. “It is what it is. I think if you dwell on that too long, you’re just going to stay in a perpetual state of disappointment.

“What happened happened and I’m here now and it’s time to go have some fun.”

Bleacher Report ranked Winston as the third-best right tackle in football in 2012, so his release from Kansas City was surprising. But the length of time that he remained on the market may have been more surprising.

“Obviously things didn’t fall the way I would have liked them to fall,” he said. “That’s the way it goes. Life goes on and it’s time to play football.”

So, why Arizona? Other teams such as Dallas, Miami, San Diego and Tennessee have all at least showed marginal interest in Winston in recent months.

“I think it’s kind of a sleeper team in a way,” Winston said. “I looked at this squad, and I thought it was a good fit. And they wanted me, more than anything. I think you want to go somwhere you’re wanted.

“They wanted me to be on the team and so I feel like there’s a good chance for me.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

13 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

16 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

1 day ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Frustration behind him, Arizona Cardinals’ tackle Eric Winston ready to go