THURSDAY, 10:26am: The Vikings have officially signed Coleman, the team announced today in a press release.
MONDAY, 2:13pm: Free agent safety Kurt Coleman, who visited the Vikings last week, plans to sign a deal with the team, according to Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. Vensel reports that the two sides agreed to terms on a contract today, after Minnesota reportedly extended an offer to Coleman following his visit. It’ll be a one-year deal (Twitter link).
Coleman, who turns 26 in July, spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Eagles, who selected him in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. Although he was the team’s starter at free safety in 2011 and 2012, he ranked 85th out of 88 total qualified safeties in ’12, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). Those grades may have contributed to the team reducing Coleman’s role in 2013, a season in which he played just 74 defensive snaps. However, he still played a significant role on special teams, racking up nine tackles in kick and punt coverage.
The Jets and Colts also hosted Coleman for visits before the unrestricted free agent reached an agreement with the Vikings. In Minnesota, Coleman will likely find himself battling for playing time – or even a roster spot – among a group of safeties that includes returning players Harrison Smith, Andrew Sendejo, and Jamarca Sanford, all of whom started at least seven games at safety for the Vikes last season.