The Buffalo Bills are trying to remedy an inconsistent and predictable performance room that plagued the team’s wide receivers in big moments during the 2025 season. One Bills Drive has added wide receivers DJ Moore and Skyler Bell to the mix, the former through a trade with the Chicago Bears, and the latter during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Yet by and large, the team’s group of wide receivers remains otherwise very similar entering 2026. That includes Keon Coleman, who has a lot to prove in year three.
Coleman has just turned 23 years old, but this season feels like it carries the weight of a necessary redemption arc for his NFL career.
President of football operations Brandon Beane and quarterback Josh Allen understand this, and both have made sure to build a case for Coleman as fairly as possible. During his first press conference of camp, Beane spoke at length about Coleman, and his level of maturity stating “if you know Keon the way I know him and his teammates know him, you feel a guy who’s really matured — the light has come on, he understands some of the things he could’ve done better along the way,” while reflecting on his own level of maturity at a similar age and adding that Coleman finally appears to be “growing comfortable in his skin.”
Beane then went on to say that he’s “very proud of Keon and where he is. He could’ve taken the negativity from the press-conference thing, the season, the benchings, whatever has happened to him. He has has the most positive outlook on things… …I think he’s done everything that he could control, up to this point.”
Beane was then asked if expectations are higher for Coleman now, given the hurried “not for long” nature of professional football. Ever in Coleman’s corner, Beane said that “if you handle the things the way he’s handled them this offseason up to this point… …I think those things will come. If you just prepare, do the right things on the field, off the field, I think the rest will come.”
Beane then stated that he doesn’t believe Coleman “has come up short with his ability. I think he’s shown plenty of things going back to his rookie year before the injury.” In summing it up, Beane said “I think when he’s done things the right way — which, he’s doing that — and the light is on, I think that will naturally come,” before adding that he’s unconcerned about the immaturity issues from prior seasons thanks to what Coleman’s shown so far in 2026.
Allen also continues to show confidence in Coleman, evidenced by the offense’s first 7-on-7 play of camp, a quick out to Coleman on the edge. The pass fell incomplete, but the key takeaway was that Allen went right back to Coleman on the very next play — a far more difficult pass and catch down the right side of the field, which Coleman hauled in.
After practice, when asked about Coleman and whether he’s earned his trust, Allen responded by saying “Absolutely. You know, he’s put in the work this offseason. He continues to get better. He continues to master the offense and the role that we’re asking him to do.” Allen would go on to add that Coleman is “working extremely hard and I think people see that. I respect that about him. He’s never once put his head down and pouted and ‘woe is me.’ It’s always ‘hey, I’m gonna figure this thing out.’ And when you have a guy that’s willing to put in the extra work, that you start pulling for that guy. But again, I understand his body language now. I know where he’s gonna be.”
As for what transpired on that first incomplete pass, Allen mentioned that “back-shoulder balls, some guys aren’t easy to throw to, but he’s got such a big frame where those are something that he’s gotta be very very excellent at. But it takes reps to do that and I’m glad we got that today.” Though the internet has been sharply divided where some are quick to criticize Coleman, it’s best for outsiders to calm down after one pass on the first (and very rainy) day at camp. Everyone is rusty and it takes time to (re)establish football rhythm.
Coleman was busy throughout day one, the successful target of several additional passes, but folks in attendance saw a new wrinkle to his pro game. When it came time for punt returns, Coleman was the first man up for the job — as in ahead of everyone else on the roster. While it’s just the first day, it’s clear that the Bills are intent on building out Coleman’s on-field potential and they’re confident in his ability to master whatever they send his way.
With wide receiver Tyrell Shavers being placed on the Active/PUP list to begin camp, there may never be a better chance for Coleman to leave a good impression on his coaches.
