As the Falcons work toward extensions, all seems quiet for Tevin Coleman

It’s striking how swiftly the Falcons are moving on contracts at the moment. They managed to make things right (for the moment) with Julio Jones and get Jake Matthews a five year extension, and they’ve talked about tackling new contracts for Grady Jarrett and Ricardo Allen next. They’re moving along on retaining much of their core, in other words.

There are a couple of names missing from that list, you’ll notice. One is Andy Levitre, who may be entering his final year in Atlanta. The other is Tevin Coleman, and the possibility of Atlanta losing the young stud running back is as depressing as it is predictable.

For all Thomas Dimitroff’s hopeful notes about bringing Coleman back, the team is well aware that it would take an injury, a disappointing season, or an unlikely desire to stay in Atlanta to the point of forfeiting millions of dollars to actually bring him back. Coleman has shown that he has more than enough talent to take on a lead role for some team in the NFL, and the Falcons are paying Devonta Freeman big $$$ and will continue to do so as long as he continues to perform. Coleman’s most lucrative road in free agency will take him elsewhere.

I’m holding out hope that Coleman will return, but I think the team’s stated focus on contracts for the likes of Matthews (who, again, got one), Jarrett and Allen says an awful lot.