The NFL offseason is starting to heat up and the New Orleans Saints are the latest team to get in on the action. The Saints are releasing safety Kurt Coleman, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

While Garafolo notes that the “team will keep the door open to his potential return later,” he was due “$5.5m in total compensation this season and that figure was too high for them.” Coleman signed a three-year $16.4 million deal with New Orleans last March, but lasted just one year of that pact.

Coleman started nine games this past year but played more of a rotational role, playing just 35 percent of the defensive snaps. He came to the Saints after spending three years with the Panthers, where he had a couple of great seasons. In 2016 and 2017 he combined for 11 interceptions.

Coleman's play has declined in recent years, and he received just an “average” 55.9 grade from Pro Football Focus this past season. Coleman is 30 now, but he's not completely over the hill. He'll almost certainly have to settle for a deal that pays him a lot less than what he was slated to make, but he shouldn't have any trouble finding a home.

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JC Latham (Alabama), Chris Braswell (Alabama not Jaguars), Cornelieus Johnson (Michigan) in action behind a New Orleans Saints logo with a 2024 NFL Draft background.

Dylan Bruton ·

Coleman originally entered the league with the Eagles as a seventh round pick back in 2010. He spent the first four years of his career in Philadelphia before having quick pit stops in Minnesota and Kansas City. The Ohio State product was a bit of a late bloomer, and didn't really break out until his years with Carolina.

The move saved the Saints around $4 million against the cap, and gives them added flexibility as they head into free agency.