Nov 20, 2014; Oakland, CA; Chiefs safety Kurt Coleman (27) tackles Raiders receiver Brice Butler (12) at O.co Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsAnd
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs’ rounds in Indianapolis with the agents of pending unrestricted free agents included a key contributor in the defensive backfield.
The Chiefs met with safety Kurt Coleman’s representative in the past week at the NFL Scouting Combine and expressed interest in bringing back the fifth-year pro, a source familiar with the situation confirmed with ChiefsDigest.com.
The discussions between the Chiefs and Coleman’s camp were categorized as “positive,” according to the source.
Coleman, who turns 27 in July, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the NFL’s calendar year begins on March 10.
Kansas City originally signed Coleman to a one-year contract on Sept. 2, 2014. He earned a base salary of $730,000 last season.
The 5-11, 200-pound Coleman appeared in 15 games with three starts for the Chiefs in 2014. He recorded 37 tackles (34 solo), a team-high three interceptions, six passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Coleman also contributed on special teams where he recorded seven tackles.
The September signing of Coleman reunited him with coach Andy Reid, who drafted Coleman in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft while with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Coleman, who played collegiately at Ohio State, spent four seasons in Philadelphia before signing a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings in April 2014.
He was in training camp with the Vikings, even seeing action in the third preseason game against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, before being released on Aug. 30 leading to his signing with Kansas City.
Coleman, a native of Dayton, Ohio, has appeared in 74 career games (32 starts), totaling 227 tackles (177 solo), 10 interceptions, 17 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery during that span.
A potential re-signing of Coleman would address depth at the safety position. Ron Parker is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, and whether Eric Berry, who is battling lymphoma, can return in 2015 remains unknown.
