We will continue our player by player look at the Kansas City Chiefs’ potential unrestricted free agents with a veteran defensive back signed days before the start of the regular season.
Coleman has played five NFL seasons, one with the Chiefs. He played in 15 games with three starts in 2014 and had three interceptions. He turns 27 in July.
Chiefs career: Coleman was signed after being released by the Minnesota Vikings at the end of the preseason. His three interceptions were half of the Chiefs' total last season. He had one late in each of the two games against Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers to preserve both victories. Coleman was in the defensive lineup last season for 377 plays, or about 36 percent of the defensive snaps, mostly as an extra defensive back in passing situations. He was also the Chiefs’ fourth leading tackler on special teams.
Argument for keeping Coleman: He was a nice find for the Chiefs last season and shouldn’t be overlooked for his contributions to one of the NFL’s best pass defenses. The Chiefs will need help at strong safety next season. Eric Berry's status is uncertain as he’s recovering from lymphoma. Ron Parker is a potential unrestricted free agent and Sanders Commings has given the Chiefs next to nothing in two seasons because of injuries. The Chiefs know exactly what they are getting by re-signing Coleman.
Argument for letting Coleman go: There aren’t many good ones if the Chiefs can sign Coleman for something close to a minimum salary, as they did with Husain Abdullah last year. Otherwise, the Chiefs might be able to get the contributions they received from Coleman last year in a younger, less expensive player.
What should happen with Coleman: He doesn’t necessarily have to be a priority, but the Chiefs should re-sign Coleman at the right price. His knack for the big play was important last season, and the Chiefs have too much uncertainty at safety to let that walk away.