The numbers are in on running back Tevin Coleman's new deal, and the contract details are better than expected for the San Francisco 49ers.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news that former Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman and the San Francisco 49ers came to terms on a two-year, $10 million contract on the first day of 2019 NFL free agency. Coleman, who played under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during their shared time in Atlanta, appeared to accept somewhat of a "hometown discount" -- albeit in a different city over 2,000 miles away -- in order to be reunited with his former offensive coordinator:
49ers signing Tevin Coleman to a two-year, $10 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
At the time, the deal made sense for San Francisco, despite the fact that the Niners already have a crowded backfield that includes running backs Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, and Raheem Mostert. Given Coleman's blazing speed, positional versatility and receiving prowess, he fits the mold of a Shanahan running back who can be utilized as a big-play runner as well as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield or lined up on the line of scrimmage. Today we learned that Shanahan's newest offensive weapon will arrive in the Bay Area on a low-risk deal with an inexpensive price tag.
Thursday morning, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Coleman's deal includes over $2 million in incentives, meaning his base contract will cost the 49ers just $8.5 million over two years, including only $3.6 million in 2019. In addition, Pelissero stated Coleman's contract does not include a signing bonus, which affords the 49ers the opportunity to part ways with the running back after next season with no salary cap repercussions if Coleman doesn't work out for the team as expected:
Base value of RB Tevin Coleman's deal with the #49ers is 2 years, $8.5 million. He gets $3.6M in Year 1. No signing bonus, so clean break if they cut him before a $2M rolling guarantee kicks in April 1, 2020. Max $10.6M with incentives. Value pickup on a guy Kyle Shanahan loves.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2019
Sportrac's Michael Ginnitti soon echoed Perlissero's assertion that Coleman's contract with San Francisco is essentially a one-year, $3.6 million deal with $3.25 million guaranteed, provided the 49ers opt to release Coleman before April 4, 2020:
Tevin Coleman's 2 year $8.5M deal w/ the #Niners is essentially a 1 year $3.6M contract. He gets $3.25M guaranteed, all in 2019 after which SF can release him with no dead cap hit.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 14, 2019
Full Breakdown:https://t.co/I36fYukNeT
Despite rushing for over 2,000 yards during his final season at the University of Indiana, Coleman never became the bell-cow back the Falcons envisioned when they drafted him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. However, the speedster thrived in a split role with fellow runner Devonta Freeman in Atlanta, and will likely be used in a similar fashion in San Francisco. After injuries hampered his rookie campaign, Coleman averaged 981 yards from scrimmage and 9.3 touchdowns over his remaining three seasons in the NFL.