Kenyon Coleman Retiring after being Released by New Orleans Saints

Defensive end Kenyon Coleman was signed in April of last year, following Rob Ryan from the Dallas Cowboys to the New Orleans Saints. Any potential the 34-year-old might have had in helping rebuild the Saints defense went unrealized, however, as a torn pectoral muscle landed him on the injured reserve list in August. After a very successful defensive season in 2013, the Saints are clearing out some of their older, less healthy members; and Coleman is the latest addition to the list of defensive veterans who won't be suiting up in black and gold this year.

It remains to be seen whether or not some of the players being cleared out from Airline Drive will ever suit up for another team. Coleman, however, has already made his decision. After being told that the Saints would not be signing him again, Kenyon Coleman has decided to retire from the NFL.

Confirmed with Kenyon Coleman's agent Jordan Woy that he'll be retiring in the offseason. Found out earlier today he wouldn't be re-signed.

— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) February 22, 2014

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Coleman went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns before following his defensive coordinator back to Dallas and then to New Orleans. Since he never had a chance to produce for the team, he won't likely be one of this year's losses missed most by Saints fans on game day. But should he choose to remain in New Orleans with his wife and three children, he will almost certainly be a welcome member of the community.

For now, though, he is simply the latest victim of the team's need to create enough room under the salary cap to sign free agent Jimmy Graham, plus their upcoming draft picks and any free agents they want to retain or attract in 2014.