Vectors $\mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}$, $\mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{bmatrix} 2 \\ 1 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix}$, and $\mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{bmatrix} 3 \\ 3 \\ 4 \end{bmatrix}$ form the columns of matrix $A$. After row reduction, $\text{rank}(A) = 2$. Which statement about these vectors is always true?