It's already been an interesting offseason for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman after a trying two years in the NFL.
Coleman, the No. 33 overall pick by Buffalo in the 2024 draft, had a monster opening week to his second campaign, logging eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in the Bills' win over the Baltimore Ravens. It would take him another month of games combined to eclipse that yardage total, and as the season progressed he ended up a healthy scratch on multiple occasions.
Then, during a January news conference following Sean McDermott's firing, team owner Terry Pegula suggested Buffalo's selection of Coleman was driven by the coaches -- a case of general manager Brandon Beane being a "team player." Although Beane went on to say Coleman was his pick, reactions and speculation over the wideout's future was natural.
Joe Brady has since risen from offensive coordinator to head coach and backed Coleman, and on Saturday Beane reiterated his faith in the 22-year-old.
“It’s been good," Beane said on NFL Network's coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine regarding the Coleman-Brady relationship. "We got a new wide receiver coach, as well, Drew Terrell, that’s very excited. Pete Carmichael’s our new OC. 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. 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 makeover of the coaching staff could certainly allow Coleman to finally settle in and reach his potential. It's a fresh start of sorts without actually changing scenery.
Those doubting such a transformation will rightfully point out that his old OC is still around and now simply calling the shots from a higher perch.
Coleman had 29 catches for 556 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie with 19.2 yards per reception. In 2025, he put up 404 yards and four scores on 38 receptions, good for 10.6 yards a catch. The drop-off in average shows he was utilized a bit differently, but both underwhelming seasons came under Brady.
Still, Beane is looking forward to seeing how a new brain trust bolsters Coleman's production as Brady makes the team his own -- and Buffalo certainly needs Coleman to take another step.
Even if the Bills invest heavily at wide receiver in free agency and the draft, they're starting from a low point. For all his troubles, Coleman was the club's second-leading WR last season, behind Khalil Shakir's 72 catches for 719 yards and four TDs. Veteran wideouts like Brandin Cooks and Gabe Davis are headed for free agency.
The opportunity remains for Coleman to make an impact.
Beane believes an influx of motivated new coaches will help him do so.