NFL free agency 2017: Derrick Coleman gets another chance, reunites with Dan Quinn

Fullback Derrick Coleman, who has spent almost his entire career with the Seattle Seahawks and was out of the league last season following a hit and run conviction, has signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Coleman, 26, figures to compete for a roster spot with the Falcons following the loss of Patrick DiMarco, who signed with the Buffalo Bills this month.

It’s an opportunity that not many figured would be coming for Coleman after his bizarre 2015 driving incident that caused him to be released by the Seahawks; Coleman must still serve a four-game suspension if he makes Atlanta’s final roster.

An undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2012, Coleman signed with the Minnesota Vikings, who released him in August of that year which allowed him to be picked up by Seattle. He didn’t play that year, but he was the regular fullback paving the way for Marshawn Lynch as the Seahawks made the Super Bowl in both 2013 and 2014. He has 11 career catches and 10 career rushes, with two touchdowns.

Coleman was out of control while driving his Dodge Ram in October of 2015 in Bellevue, slamming into the back of another vehicle and injuring the driver. That’s when the running back fled on foot, only to be picked up by officers about 10 minutes later; Coleman claimed he had smoked synthetic marijuana (“spice”) not long before driving. He pled guilty to vehicular assault and a hit and run in October of 2016, but was not sentenced to any jail time.

With the Falcons, Coleman reunites with Dan Quinn, who was Seattle’s defensive coordinator from 2013 to 2014.