The fallout from the Buffalo Bills’ season-ending loss to the Denver Broncos is still unfolding, and now it’s spilling into the front office. On Wednesday, team owner Terry Pegula stirred the pot during a press conference following the dismissal of head coach Sean McDermott. But it wasn’t just about the coaching change - Pegula took a surprising detour that put rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman squarely in the crosshairs.
When asked about the performance of Coleman - the 33rd overall pick in last year’s draft - Pegula appeared to distance general manager Brandon Beane from the selection. “The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon,” Pegula said. “I'm not saying Brandon wouldn't have drafted him, but he wasn't his next choice.”
That comment didn’t sit well with many, including ESPN’s Field Yates, who didn’t hold back on NFL Live. “This is when it became the blame game,” Yates said.
“Let’s all be honest - is there a likely long-term future for Keon Coleman in Buffalo? Probably not.”
Yates’ frustration was clear, and frankly, understandable. Coleman is a 21-year-old receiver with undeniable upside, still early in his rookie contract - a four-year, $10 million deal - and Pegula’s remarks felt like a public vote of no confidence.
“Their owner is just throwing a young player who does have immense talent under the bus like that,” Yates added. “Why are we doing this?”
Coleman’s numbers this season weren’t eye-popping - 38 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns - but they weren’t disastrous either, especially considering the team’s mid-season offensive inconsistency and the late-season surge that carried them to a 12-5 finish and a spot in the AFC Divisional Round. For context, his rookie year saw him tally 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns - a higher yardage total on fewer catches, but similar production overall.
The Bills ultimately fell in a heartbreaking 33-30 overtime loss to the Broncos, ending a campaign that saw them claw back into contention after a rocky start. Coleman played a role in that resurgence, even if it wasn’t a starring one.
Still, the message from the top - intentional or not - is hard to ignore. When an owner publicly questions a young player’s place on the team, it sends ripples through the locker room. And it didn’t take long for a former Bills star to weigh in.
LeSean McCoy, who knows a thing or two about the dynamics inside Buffalo’s building, didn’t mince words. “You got to trade him,” McCoy posted on X.
“Imagine hearing from your bosses that nobody really wanted you. Everything don’t need explained.”
It’s rare to see a team’s owner, GM, coaching staff, and rookie all tangled in a public narrative like this. But here we are.
Coleman’s future in Buffalo suddenly feels uncertain - not because of his talent, but because of the optics and tone coming from the top. And with the new league year just weeks away, the Bills have some serious internal reflection to do.
Because if there’s one thing that can derail a promising young player’s trajectory, it’s not just the stats - it’s the trust, or lack thereof, from the people who are supposed to believe in him most.