The Buffalo Bills got back in the win column in Week 11, as they picked up a 44-32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the Bills eventually pulled away late, there was some drama along the way, as they trailed for a decent portion of this game. There was also some drama before the game involving wide receiver Keon Coleman.
The talented second-year pass catcher was a healthy scratch for this game after he was late to a team meeting during the week, marking the third time he has been disciplined by the team in his young career. Ahead of Week 12, head coach Sean McDermott addressed Coleman’s future with the team, as he continues to struggle to stay out of trouble.
Sean McDermott Dishes on Keon Coleman
The Bills selected Coleman with the first pick of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he put together a solid rookie campaign, catching 29 passes for 556 yards and four touchdowns. With Buffalo needing a true No. 1 pass catcher to step up for Josh Allen, the team had high hopes for Coleman entering this season.
Instead, Coleman’s season has been marred by disciplinary issues. Earlier this year, Coleman was benched for the first series of the team’s Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots. Last season, Coleman was benched for the first quarter of the team’s clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars, so this isn’t exactly the first time he has found himself in this situation.
When he’s been on the field, Coleman hasn’t taken a step forward either, as he has 32 catches for 330 yards and three touchdowns this season. It’s clear that something needs to change in this partnership, because the current setup is not working. On Monday, McDermott kept it real when discussing how the team will move forward with Coleman after his latest disciplinary incident.
“There are different paths or journeys,” McDermott said when discussing Coleman’s latest benching. “Do we want it to have happened before now? Yes. He would tell you the same thing. The important piece is that he learns from this and he grows from this. You grow from it, we can move forward. If you don’t grow from it, it’s hard to move forward.”
What Should the Bills Do with Keon Coleman?
GettyKeon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills are at a fork in the road with Coleman. While his upside is clear as day, he hasn’t come close to reaching his potential, both on and off the field. It’s still early, but at some point, things need to change for him. If he continues to violate the team’s rules, there could come a point in time when the front office decides to move on from him.
For the time being, though, McDermott and the rest of the team are committed to helping Coleman become the best version of himself. That will start with getting back on the field in Week 12, as the team has a short week upcoming. Buffalo will square off against the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football, with kickoff being scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
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