Signing Eric Winston was a good move for Seattle. (Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)
Eric Winston signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, who envision the eight-year veteran at right tackle.
Winston confirmed the signing via Twitter on Tuesday.
“Season finally starts for me today! Looking forward to chasing a ring with the Seahawks!! Time go to work!,” he wrote.
Winston has never missed a game — 112 total with Houston (2007-2011), Kansas City (2012) and Arizona (2013) — and said he’s in the best shape of his career after offseason workout sessions with Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson.
A peek at the September schedule might have motivated head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider to seek a veteran edge blocker. Before a Week 4 bye, the Seahawks will see Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers of the Green Bay Packers, and Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware of the Denver Broncos (Week 3) with a trip to San Diego (Dwight Freeney, Melvin Ingram, Jarret Johnson) in between.
The Super Bowl champions lost 2013 starter Breno Giacomini in free agency to the New York Jets, but Seattle drafted Missouri right tackle Justin Britt in the second round of the 2014 draft and had Michael Bowie, a rookie seventh-round pick last season who played guard and tackle, competing for the spot.
Giacomini was more of a brawler than Winston, a better fit in zone-blocking schemes.
The Seahawks are familiar with Winston, who started all 16 games with the Arizona Cardinals last season and was elected NFL Players Association president in the offseason.
The 30-year-old said in an interview last week that he would sign without being promised a starting spot.
