With Joe Brady officially introduced as the new head coach, the Buffalo Bills are shifting gears toward what promises to be a pivotal offseason. There’s a lot on the to-do list-assembling a defensive coaching staff, managing the cap, and figuring out how to finally break through in the playoffs.
But one of the more intriguing storylines heading into 2026 isn’t about who the Bills might add. It’s about who’s already in the building.
That brings us to wide receiver Keon Coleman.
Coleman’s name has been floating in the headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, thanks to some eyebrow-raising remarks from team owner Terry Pegula that seemed to single him out in defense of GM Brandon Beane. It was a strange moment, and one that could’ve rattled a young player still finding his footing in the league. But if Josh Allen’s recent comments are any indication, the quarterback isn’t letting any of that noise shake his confidence in his wideout.
Allen: “I will not give up on him.”
Allen didn’t hesitate when asked about Coleman during his first public appearance since the Bills’ Divisional Round loss in Denver.
“He will come back from that. I’m not going to give up on 0.
He’s got too much ability. I will not give up on him,” Allen said.
“We’re going to work tirelessly, him and me, as well as everyone else in this building, to make sure that whenever we step on the field, we’re going to find ways to win football games. And he’s going to be a part of that.”
That’s about as clear a vote of confidence as you’ll get from a franchise quarterback. Allen’s message cuts through the chatter and sets the tone for what could be a bounce-back year for Coleman.
And from all accounts, Coleman isn’t dwelling on the drama. According to reports, he didn’t take the comments from ownership personally. Instead, he shook them off and got back to work-already training for Year 3.
Joe Brady backs his young receiver
New head coach Joe Brady echoed that same support. After his introductory press conference, Brady made it a point to reaffirm Coleman’s place in the team’s plans.
“Keon Coleman is going to be on our football team,” Brady said.
That’s a strong endorsement from a new head coach who’s tasked with maximizing the talent already on the roster. And while Coleman’s 2025 season didn’t live up to the expectations set by his electric debut, there are still signs of growth beneath the surface.
A step back statistically-but not without progress
Coleman came out of the gate in Week 1 with a breakout performance against the Ravens-eight catches for 112 yards that had Bills fans buzzing about a potential WR1 in the making. But he never quite recaptured that spark as the season wore on.
The production dipped. The targets dried up.
There were even a few benchings along the way.
Still, when you dig into the numbers, the sophomore slump wasn’t without silver linings. Coleman caught 38 of his 59 targets-an improvement over the 29 of 57 he posted as a rookie.
He also cut down on his drops and matched his touchdown total from Year 1. While he fell just short of his rookie yardage mark, he actually moved the chains more often, picking up more first downs.
That’s the kind of incremental progress that matters, especially for a player still developing his chemistry with one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. And let’s not overlook the fact that Coleman made two key plays in the postseason, even in limited action. That’s not nothing.
2026: A clean slate, a chance to reset
For Coleman, the 2026 season is more than just Year 3. It’s a reset button. The Bills are entering a new era under Joe Brady, and with that comes opportunity-especially for players like Coleman who are still writing their NFL story.
He’s got the physical tools. He’s got the backing of his quarterback and his coach. And now, with the outside noise starting to fade, he’s got a chance to prove he belongs in the Bills’ long-term plans.
The road back to being a featured weapon in this offense won’t be easy. But if Allen’s belief in him is any indication, Coleman’s not going to be walking it alone.