Keon Coleman
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Keon Coleman is hoping to have a big year, and quarterback Josh Allen has high hopes for the second-year wideout.
The Buffalo Bills‘ offense under Joe Brady helped QB Josh Allen secure his first league MVP award by leaning on an effective rushing attack paired with the most efficient year of Allen’s career under center as a passer. Yet, the offense didn’t exactly see a true leading receiver emerge as the clear-cut WR1 last season.
One ESPN NFL analyst believes that Bills WR Keon Coleman could be the ultimate X factor in determining whether or not this team ultimately gets over the hump in 2025.
Bills WR Keon Coleman Named the X Factor for Buffalo in 2025
Benjamin Solak of ESPN didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement of Keon Coleman’s rookie season, but still believes the second-year WR could have a profound impact on the fate of this team in 2025.
“The Bills have an excellent slot in Khalil Shakir, but Coleman is the player they really need to emerge on the outside,” wrote Solak. “He is not an elite separator, but succeeds as a ball winner. That’s the sort of player who needs time to develop trust and chemistry with his quarterback, as Allen must be willing to throw to Coleman even when he’s covered. In Year 1, the relationship was not yet there. But if Coleman can become a Tee Higgins-esque receiver over the middle of the field and in the low red zone, he’ll introduce a new, physical facet that the Bills missed at times last year. Perhaps then this offense can finally get over the hump.”
Coleman failed to solidify himself as a reliable option in the passing game in 2024 with just 29 receptions for 556 yards and four scores over his 13 games of action from his rookie year. His production was likely impacted by sustaining a wrist injury against the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, but his seven receptions over the final four games of the season suggest that the rookie never fully found his rhythm in this offense in 2024.
Coleman’s failure to establish himself as the alpha in this WR room has many Bills fans asking themselves similar questions about the WR position from a year ago.
Solak added, “For the umpteenth consecutive offseason, the Bills are looking for a way to break through the AFC playoff field. Their offense is plenty capable of it, with offensive coordinator Joe Brady helming a precise passing game and brawling rushing attack that, with the ever-looming threat of Josh Allen wizardry, presents too much for defenses to handle. But there’s still the lurking question: Does this team have a WR1? A man coverage beater, a go-to third-down safety valve? A new Stefon Diggs?”
Will Keon Coleman’s Role Significantly Expand in 2025?
To make matters more stressful for the Bills, leading receiver Khalil Shakir suffered an ankle injury early in training camp. The dynamic slot receiver is expected to be ready for Week 1, but could force the Bills to rely on other pass catchers in this offense if Shakir suffers any sort of setback early in the season.
The team signed Joshua Palmer this offseason, and Dalton Kincaid has had some nice moments in this offense. Yet, Coleman still feels like the player the Bills need to ascend into a leading role in this WR room for this team to reach their ultimate goal of advancing to the Super Bowl.
Coleman has all of the physical tools to be a productive receiver in the NFL. Additionally, he is catching passes from one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Reports about Coleman’s development from training camp have been very encouraging.
Yet, it is time for Coleman to take the next step into a larger role. He will see more work in 2025. Ultimately, 2025 feels like a make-or-break year for the FSU product.