Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane says the team plans to back up its talk on Keon Coleman with action.
The beleaguered wide receiver became the focal point of the team’s end-of-season press conference in which it announced the firing of head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons.
“That was Brandon being a team player and taking advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player,” owner Terry Pegula said of drafting Coleman during the remarkable January press conference. “And you know, he’s taken -- for some reason -- heat over it, and not saying a word about it. But I’m here to tell you the true story.”
The 35th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Florida State, Coleman struggled mightily in his second season, finding himself a healthy scratch in four games over both discipline and performance-related reasons. He finished his season with 38 receptions for 404 yards and four touchdowns. Despite the poor season and bizarre press conference, both franchise quarterback Josh Allen and new head coach Joe Brady, the team’s former offensive coordinator, have spoken of their belief in the player.
Beane told The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia on Tuesday that the belief is sincere.
“I think Keon understands what he can control and what he can’t, and we all mature at different times,” Beane said of Coleman. “It’s not an ability thing with him. I think he’s shown plenty when he’s been dialed in and connected with the quarterback and the play call and everyone, all is one. But when you let the stuff that occurred off the field, that then affects what your opportunities are on the field.”
Turning 23 next month, Beane says the team is confident that he will show the requisite growth next season to be an effective part of the offence.
“Listen, he has to go do it, but I think we feel confident that the maturity level is heading where it needs to,” Beane said. “Again, he’s got to go do it. We believe in the skill set, and that’s part of what your culture is. We all grow at different times; none of us were a made product at 21, 22. Do you wish you had to go through that with him? No, you don’t. But you hope for us, and for him, he looks back and says, ‘That was the best thing that happened to me.’ That’s what you hope. And we’re putting all our eggs in his basket to come back for year three and be a part of this group, however that is.”
Coleman is part of a retooled Bills receiving corps with the addition of new No. 1 receiver D.J. Moore in a trade with the Chicago Bears and subtraction of the oft-injured Curtis Samuel. The Bills will select with the 26th pick in next week’s NFL Draft and could look to add another receiver.
