National Football League

Panthers sign free agent S Kurt Coleman to 2-year deal

Published Mar. 16, 2015 11:56 a.m. ET

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers have announced they've signed former Kansas City Chiefs safety Kurt Coleman to a two-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal Monday were not released.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Coleman has started 32 games during his five-year NFL career, including three last season with the Chiefs registering 37 tackles and three interceptions. He was a regular starter for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 and 2012. He has 258 career tackles and 10 interceptions for his career.

The 26-year-old Coleman is expected to challenge veteran safety Roman Harper for a starting job.

Coleman, who broke into the NFL in 2010 with the Eagles when current Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was Philadelphia's defensive boss, said that familiarity was one of the reasons why he signed with the Panthers.

"Being familiar with Sean and watching this defense, I wanted to be able to help this team build into something special and make a run," Coleman said. "They've done great the last two years getting into the playoffs, but the great thing is they’re not satisfied with just getting there. I want to be a piece to help this team go and be something special."

Coleman's best statistical season came in 2011 with the Eagles when he had 78 tackles and a career-high five interceptions.

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman previously said upgrading the secondary was one of team's priorities this offseason.

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