Keon Coleman
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 14: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills looks on prior to a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
It’s been a tough start to his NFL career for Buffalo Bills WR Keon Coleman. Once thought of as the future of the franchise at wide receiver, endearing the fanbase with his lovable personality and quality sense of humor, Coleman now finds himself at a crossroads with his Bills future.
A former second-round pick out of Florida State and the Bills’ top target in the 2024 draft, Coleman got off to a slow start, posting just 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. The hype was there in Buffalo to expect a breakout sophomore season, and he dominated the Ravens in the Bills’ season opener, going for eight catches, 112 yards, and a key touchdown in the Buffalo win. The arrow was firmly pointing up.
But over the remainder of the season, Coleman had just 30 more receptions, 292 more receiving yards, and three more touchdowns. He was suspended by the team for his off-field conduct at one point and Bills owner Terry Pegula threw his young receiver under the bus when he fired former Bills HC Sean McDermott. All this called Coleman’s future in Buffalo into serious question.
Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane on WR Keon Coleman’s Future
Keon Coleman
GettyDENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 17: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills scores a 10 yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
With McDermott out, former Bills OC Joe Brady is the new head man in Buffalo. Bills GM Brandon Beane had some thoughts on his young receiver:
“It’s been good,” Beane said on Saturday during the NFL Scouting Combine on the relationship between Coleman and Brady. “We got a new wide receiver coach, as well, Drew Terrell, that’s very excited. Pete Carmichael’s our new [offensive coordinator]. Pete, those guys, all watched him and they were like, man, I’m looking forward to working with him. I think there’s a new energy and its Year 3, and we’re gonna hit the full reset with Keon.”
“Keon had a very good offseason last year, and honestly he had a very good training camp,” Beane continued. “We played the Ravens that first game. He had 100 and whatever yards, and just some things from a maturity standpoint after that, but Keon has said all the right things. I give him this, he’s very accountable. He’s never made excuses. We’re all hands on deck. We’re all going to do our part. And I know Joe and those new coaches are very excited for what is in store for Year 3.”
The Buffalo Bills Need WR Keon Coleman to Step Up
Part of the reason the Bills have such a glaring need at wide receiver entering the offseason is because Buffalo was counting on Coleman to step up in 2025. Outside of one game, that didn’t happen. But it doesn’t mean it can’t happen in 2026.
Getting publicly blasted by your team’s owner is tough thing for anyone to overcome, let along a young man like Coleman still trying to find his footing in this league. But if he can overcome it, the sky’s the limit for someone with his talent in this strong offensive environment in Buffalo.