Bills WR Keon Coleman
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Bills WR Keon Coleman
Buffalo Bills receiver Keon Coleman endured a difficult season, struggling to remain consistent on the field while suffering the consequences of disciplinary issues.
The team benched Coleman twice and left him as a healthy scratch four times, leading to team owner Terry Pegula taking aim at the second-year receiver in a year-ending press conference, blaming former head coach Sean McDermott for his selection.
But general manager Brandon Beane reiterated that Coleman remains in the team’s plans for 2026 — though with a warning.
Brandon Beane’s Warning to Keon Coleman
Speaking to reporters at the NFL combine this week, Beane said Coleman needs to get back on track. He noted that Coleman had a great offseason as he prepared for his second season, but struggled with disciplinary issues during the season.
Coleman was benched twice for missing team practices and meetings, and Beane made it clear that he needs to show greater maturity going forward. He warned that Coleman could see a range of impact on his career if he doesn’t address those issues.
“I think we need to see Keon have the offseason he had a year ago, which was excellent. We couldn’t ask for anything more,” Beane said. “It’s the maturity, it’s the off-the-field. That can get in the way… I’ve seen that many times get in the way of people’s opportunities to grow, and not only on the field, but expand their net worth off the field.”
While Beane’s words came as a warning to Coleman, he also issued a challenge and an apparent path back to a significant part of the offense.
“So that is kinda the challenge to Keon: can you go back and do what you did all offseason and your training camp– and if you remember, he had a great game Game 1 against Baltimore– don’t let some of the maturity issues off the field affect the product on the field,” he said.
After a rookie season where he made 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns, Coleman took a step back in his second season. He made 38 receptions for 404 yards with four touchdowns, starting just six games.
Uncertain Future for Keon Coleman
While Beane’s warning to Coleman may have erased any immediate questions about whether the team could part ways with him, some analysts believe his future in Buffalo is far from uncertain.
Analyst Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports suggested the Bills could use Coleman in a trade package to land Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Sullivan proposed the Bills trade Coleman as well as their next two first-round picks to land Crosby.
“If there were a team willing to go full [Micah] Parsons and send Las Vegas two first-round picks plus a player, there’s a strong argument it would be Buffalo.” Sullivan wrote. “President of football operations Brandon Beane may also be feeling enough pressure to pull the trigger.”
Others have suggested the Bills will seek a trade for more help in the wide receiver room, which could further reduce Coleman’s role in the offense. Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown is seen as a potential target, though it’s not clear if the Eagles would part with him.