Kurt Coleman Turned Down More Money for Chance with Vikings

Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Jeremy Ross (12) runs a kickoff back as Philadelphia Eagles free safety Kurt Coleman (42) gets ready to make the tackle during the first quarter action at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, we received the details of Kurt Coleman’s next contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

Today, we’re hearing more about the contracts he turned down.

Coleman’s deal with the Vikings contained no guaranteed money, but Coleman told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that he turned down two offers from the Colts and Jets that did contain guaranteed dollars. Coleman also said one of those contracts was for more money than his deal with the Vikings.

“There are certain things going through the negotiating process that I was looking for and for me, obviously, guaranteed money is important,’’ Coleman told the Pioneer Press. “But for me it was more important about finding the right opportunity and the right staff and an organization that believes in you. And I think in the long term I’m betting on myself to succeed, and I think I will.”

Coleman started 27 games in two years for the Eagles when Andy Reid was head coach, but last year under new head coach Chip Kelly Coleman saw his role diminished. It’s pretty clear that for Coleman to choose to come to Minnesota, he’s expecting to have a shot at regaining the playing time he saw under Reid.

“Of course, I want to start,’’ Coleman said to the Pioneer Press. “I’m a competitor. I want to get out there and I want to start and I want to be the best player that I can be, and I think I have plenty more room to grow.’’

Coleman has experience at both safety spots, and if he was looking for a place to compete, he picked a good spot. While the Vikings have Harrison Smith penciled in at one safety spot, Jamarcus Sanford and Andrew Sendejo do not have the spot opposite from Smith locked down.

Coleman has more NFL experience than Sendejo at this point in his career, and Coleman has been more of a playmaker on the field than Sanford. While Sanford only has two career interceptions, Coleman has seven interceptions in 15 fewer starts.

Coleman is clearly betting on himself to win a competition against those two so he can cash in next year in free agency. Whether he’s able to make that bet pay off will be entirely up to him this summer.