Report: Seahawks reuniting with nickel cornerback Justin Coleman
Mar 23, 2022, 10:06 AM
Justin Coleman of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his interception against the Detroit Lions. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Seahawks reunited with defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson for the third time in free agency this offseason, and they’re reportedly reuniting with nickel cornerback Justin Coleman for the third time, as well.
Draft analyst Lance Zierlein: Who Seahawks could target at OT, DE
According to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, the Seahawks are signing Coleman to a one-year deal.
Coleman, who turns 29 on March 27, started his career as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and after being released by the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots, ended up on the Seahawks’ practice squad. The Patriots would then sign Coleman off Seattle’s practice squad to their active roster, and he played 20 games between his rookie season in 2015 and 2016.
The Seahawks then traded for Coleman, sending a seventh-round pick to the Patriots ahead of the 2017 season. Coleman then played 32 games for Seattle as its nickel corner, where he was regularly one of the Seahawks’ better defenders between 2017 and 2018, recording three interceptions, one forced fumble, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, 19 pass deflections and four QB hits. Coleman returned two of his interceptions and one of his fumble recoveries for touchdowns.
Justin Coleman, good at football. #SEAvsDAL #PickSix pic.twitter.com/qZYu4GyOGY
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 24, 2017
After his two-year run in Seattle ended, Coleman signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the Detroit Lions. Coleman played two years for Detroit before he was released last offseason. He then signed with the Miami Dolphins and played 16 games for them in 2021.
Coleman’s return signals competition at the nickel cornerback spot, which has been somewhat of an issue since he left after 2018.
Seattle played Jamar Taylor there in 2019 before he was waived, and 2019 draft picks Ugo Amadi and Marquise Blair have been the go-to guys there the last two years, but Blair has suffered major injuries while Amadi has had some struggles.
The Seahawks are undergoing a change on defense with new defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt as well as new defensive associate head coach Sean Desai and defensive backs/defensive passing game coordinator Karl Scott leading the charge. Hurtt was on Seattle’s staff in 2017 and 2018 when Coleman played for the Seahawks.
Rost: Fresh start for QB Drew Lock could fit right into Seahawks’ plans
