The Facts: GM Thomas Dimitroff made a rather revealing stumble when talking about impending free-agent Coleman. "Tevin's going to do well, wherever he is," Dimitroff told the media gathered Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine. Dimitroff caught himself, stuttering for a moment before cleaning up his "wherever" reference. "Whether he is with us or whether he goes somewhere else," Dimitroff said, leaving open the slightest possibility of Coleman's return.

Diehards Line:According to ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure, "Word around the combine is that Coleman isn't coming back. ..." McClure went on to point out that Dimitroff, like HC Dan Quinn, typically takes an optimistic approach in such situations. But Dimitroff is also a realist when it comes to financial matters. He understands how difficult it would be to ink two running backs to lucrative contracts, particularly with hefty commitments already made to QB Matt Ryan, OT Jake Matthews and WR Julio Jones. Remember, the Falcons already signed two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman to a five-year, $41.25 million extension ($22.05 million guaranteed) through 2022, an extension that puts Freeman third among all running backs in average per year at $8.25 million. Freeman, who played in two games last season before undergoing season-ending groin surgery, is expected to return fully healthy and back in his starting role in 2019, and Quinn expects Freeman to play with an edge. Meanwhile, Coleman seems likely to land a sizable deal elsewhere. Former Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, now the head coach in San Francisco, loved Coleman in Atlanta and helped him score a single-season high of 11 touchdowns in 2016. Don't be surprised if the 49ers express serious interest in Coleman despite signing Jerick McKinnon to a four-year, $30 million contract ($18 million guaranteed) last March.