Former Chiefs safety Kurt Coleman lands with Buffalo Bills

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Kurt Coleman #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles Brice Butler #12 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter of the game at O.co Coliseum on November 20, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Kurt Coleman #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles Brice Butler #12 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter of the game at O.co Coliseum on November 20, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Kurt Coleman has signed with the Buffalo Bills in a move that will help replace retiring safety Rafael Bush.

The Buffalo Bills have added a familiar face on the eve of coming together for training camp with the addition of former Kansas City Chiefs safety Kurt Coleman.

Coleman, who just turned 31 years old, is a nine-year NFL veteran who previously played for head coach Andy Reid for multiple seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. He began his career in Philly in 2010 and came to the Chiefs in 2014. That season, Coleman filled in the secondary admirably behind Ron Parker and Eric Berry as a key third safety. He ended the year with 37 tackles, 6 batted passes, 3 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery in 15 games in K.C.

From there, Coleman earned a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers and he would go on to have a career-high 7 interceptions the following season. He remained in Carolina for three years before playing for the New Orleans Saints in 2018, playing in all 16 games and making 9 starts.

For the Bills, the team announced Coleman’s signing at the same time they also announced the retirement of part-time safety Rafael Bush. Both players are veterans, but Coleman has a lot more in the tank at this point in his career and it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see Coleman challenge for real snaps in the Bills secondary behind Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.

Coleman joins a few other former Chiefs in Buffalo including starting center Mitch Morse and backup offensive lineman Ike Boettger.