Eric Winston: NFL lockout ‘inevitable’ in 2021

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Eric Winston (73) stands up Cleveland Browns defensive end Randy Starks (94) during the Bengals’ 31-10 win Thursday, Nov. 5 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Bengals are now 8-0 on the season. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Eric Winston (73) stands up Cleveland Browns defensive end Randy Starks (94) during the Bengals’ 31-10 win Thursday, Nov. 5 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Bengals are now 8-0 on the season. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Bengals tackle and president of the NFL players union foresees a work stoppage in 2021.

He thinks that an intense lockout could “kill the goose that laid the egg.” Winston went so far as to say he wasn’t sure the league would be around in 20 years.

“Honestly I don’t care and I don’t think the guys in this locker room care whether this thing’s going to be around in 20 years because none of us are going to be playing,” Winston said.

While the work stoppage is “invevitable,” he said, recent CTE discoveries and further health problems could lead one to question the future of the NFL.

In the meantime, Winston and the union are preparing younger players for a lockout. One reason the players caved to the owners in 2011 was due to financial difficulties. Now the union hopes to better prepare them.

“These rookies that are here now are going to be in the middle of that,” Winston said. “They need to understand what they’re getting into, what they need to prepare for,” Winston said. “We have to prepare for that outcome because that’s what happened the last time.”

At any rate, enjoy football season. In the near future, things are going to get much murkier.

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