After Pegula’s Comments, Keon Coleman’s Future in Buffalo Looks Uncertain - So Where Could He Land Next?
The Buffalo Bills are heading into a pivotal offseason, and the drama is already off and running. On Wednesday morning, team owner Terry Pegula and GM Brandon Beane addressed the media following the firing of head coach Sean McDermott. But while the focus was supposed to be on the coaching change, Pegula’s comments veered into unexpected - and uncomfortable - territory.
When the topic of wide receiver Keon Coleman came up, Pegula made it clear he wanted to shift the narrative surrounding the team’s 2024 second-round pick. “The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon,” Pegula said.
“I'm not saying Brandon [Beane] wouldn't have drafted him, but he wasn't his next choice. That was Brandon being a team player and taking advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player.”
Pegula went on to defend Beane, saying the GM had taken criticism for the pick without speaking out. “He's taken, for some reason, heat over it, and not saying a word about it. I'm here to tell you the true story.”
The implication? That Coleman wasn’t Beane’s guy, and that the now-fired coaching staff was behind the move. But there’s already video evidence suggesting otherwise - including one clip where Beane says he was happy with Coleman’s 4.57-second 40-yard dash because it might help the receiver fall to Buffalo, and another where he stated he planned to draft Coleman unless a trade offer for the No. 33 pick blew him away.
Regardless of who made the final call, one thing is clear: the pick hasn’t panned out so far. Coleman struggled to make an impact on the field and was even a healthy scratch multiple times this season due to off-field issues. And now, with the owner publicly distancing the front office from the selection, Coleman’s standing with the team appears even shakier.
It’s rare to see a player essentially disavowed by ownership while still on the roster. That kind of public comment doesn’t just blow over - especially not in a locker room that values trust and accountability. So while nothing is official yet, it’s fair to wonder if Coleman’s time in Buffalo is already nearing its end.
That raises the next question: where could the former second-round pick land next? Despite the rocky start, Coleman still has the physical tools that made him a high-upside prospect coming out of college.
A fresh start in the right system could be exactly what he needs. Here are a few teams that might make sense as potential landing spots for a “second draft” opportunity.
Kansas City Chiefs
If there’s a team that knows how to unlock talent, it’s Kansas City. The Chiefs are still searching for a reliable outside target to pair with Rashee Rice in the slot and rookie burner Xavier Worthy on the perimeter. Coleman’s big frame and contested-catch ability haven’t translated yet at the pro level, but Patrick Mahomes has made a career out of elevating receivers who needed a change of scenery.
The Chiefs’ offense doesn’t ask every receiver to be a technician - it asks them to find space, win in key moments, and earn Mahomes’ trust. That’s a tough ask, but it’s also a golden opportunity. If Coleman is going to rebound, catching passes from No. 15 wouldn’t be the worst way to start.
San Francisco 49ers
With Brandon Aiyuk likely on his way out and Jauan Jennings hitting free agency, the 49ers could be in the market for another outside receiver. Kyle Shanahan has a long track record of getting the most out of his weapons - especially ones with untapped potential.
Coleman wouldn’t need to step in as a WR1 in San Francisco. He’d be surrounded by playmakers like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey, and could be used in specific roles that highlight his strengths. If there’s a coach who can scheme a struggling receiver into success, it’s Shanahan.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh’s wide receiver room is in flux. DK Metcalf is the clear No. 1, but the depth behind him - including Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III - hasn’t proven enough to take pressure off the top guy. The Steelers need size, physicality, and someone who can win on the outside.
Coleman could be a low-risk, high-reward flyer for a team that’s likely to invest more heavily in the position through free agency or the draft. He wouldn’t be asked to carry the load, but he’d have a shot to compete and carve out a role.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have a budding star in Chris Olave, but they need more firepower around him - especially if they want to help quarterback Tyler Shough build on a promising rookie campaign. Behind Olave, the depth chart includes names like DeVaughn Vele and Kevin Austin Jr., but the team could use a bigger-bodied target who can win in traffic and offer a different look.
Coleman fits that mold - at least on paper. If New Orleans is willing to take a shot on a developmental piece, they could find value in a player still trying to find his footing.
Tennessee Titans
Let’s be honest: the Titans’ wide receiver group is a work in progress. Calvin Ridley didn’t live up to expectations this past season, and rookie QB Cam Ward was often left hanging without enough help on the perimeter. Tennessee needs to throw darts at the position - and lots of them.
Coleman wouldn’t be brought in as a savior, but he could be part of a larger overhaul. The Titans need bodies, and they need upside. Coleman still offers that, even if the floor has turned out to be lower than expected.
Final Thoughts
Keon Coleman’s rookie season didn’t go as planned - not for him, not for the Bills, and clearly not for the people now trying to explain how the pick happened. But talent doesn’t just disappear overnight. Sometimes, a change of scenery, a new coaching voice, and a fresh start can make all the difference.
Whether it’s Kansas City, San Francisco, or another team willing to roll the dice, Coleman’s next stop will be all about proving he still belongs. Because regardless of how things ended in Buffalo, his story in the NFL isn’t finished yet.