After his season, Douglas Coleman III was already scheduled to become a free agent this offseason, and there remained the chance that a different organization might see his potential. The NFL’s Chicago Bears are that team, by the way. Coleman III signed a contract with Chicago almost soon after it was announced that Matt Eburflus would remain head coach.
The loss of Coleman III at SAM linebacker creates a need for the Redblacks, who saw him excel in that position in 2023. Though there are a few players on the roster who could fit this role, it’s unclear if they will choose to sign a free agent instead of using one of their own prospects. Josh White, James Peters, and Deandre Lamont may all get some snaps here in camp to see if the team has a replacement on the roster.
Last season, Lamont filled in for Coleman at SAM linebacker when necessary. When called upon, he performed reasonably effectively in this job. On August 19, he made his debut against Montreal and recorded six tackles in the game.Lamont recorded three tackles and two interceptions against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in late September. In 2023, Lamont was a rookie who played in 11 games and gained vital experience in the CFL in this SAM position. If he can keep the competitors at bay, he ought to be prepared to take the field in 2024. Recall that the Redblacks employed a comparable strategy when they used Douglas Coleman III as a reserve at SAM prior to his assumption of the starting position in 2023.
Although James Peters is probably a little less athletic than the team is hoping for at the position, I still believe he could play the position and the team could make it. Patrick Levels did so in 2022, and Douglas Coleman III did so in 2023. While Peters is 5’10 and 220 pounds and is probably a better match for the MIKE linebacker position in the CFL, both men are roughly 6’0 and 200 pounds. After logging five tackles on special teams in his first season, Peters is undoubtedly in line for more defensive snaps.
Josh White is a candidate to play the position in 2024, but being that he is a true rookie who didn’t join the team until after finishing up his final season in college. Drafted in the 3rd round last season, he played primarily WILL linebacker in college, and it’s possible that we see Ottawa lean on this experience and allow him to stay there, but then they would have brought in two WILL linebackers in last year’s draft alone with Lucas Corimer also there, perhaps Corimer could also see snaps at SAM.
Theoretically, Patrick Levels may even be contacted again by the Redblacks to inquire about taking up his former role. He might be trying to return in 2024 after failing to suit up in 2023.
Congratulations to Douglas Coleman III on his 2024 season signing with the Bears! Coleman III decided to take a chance after having a fantastic CFL season, even if there is still a chance he does not make the Bears roster or practice squad. The more opportunities like this the Redblacks can help create for kids who never got a legitimate opportunity in the NFL.Although Coleman had a coffee with the Broncos, he was never given the opportunity to play in preseason games and demonstrate his abilities in an NFL scenario. For the sake of Coleman and Ottawa, let’s hope he can rectify that in 2024 and demonstrates the caliber of talent Ottawa has been able to produce.
