The Buffalo Bills had high hopes for wide receiver Keon Coleman when they used their top pick in the 2024 NFL draft to land him, but the second-year pass-catcher has brought only limited results so far.
Coleman has attracted some criticism for his production and what some perceive as a lack of effort. Head coach Sean McDermott may have given some grounding to that criticism, addressing Coleman’s effort this week with what appeared to be biting comments.
Sean McDermott Addresses Keon Coleman’s Effort
When asked this week about Coleman’s performance, McDermott admitted that he was not happy with the second-year receiver’s play this season.
“He knows if I’m not satisfied. It’s fair that you’re asking about,” McDermott said, via SI.com. “I can promise you it gets addressed when it isn’t (satisfactory) or where it needs to be. It’s been addressed … at times it’s been good and other times it can improve.”
Coleman showed promise early in his rookie season but was sidetracked by injury and ended the season with 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns. Coleman has 32 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns this season, but has not grown into the No. 1 receiver many had hoped he would become.
Coleman has also taken criticism for his effort with the team, getting benched for the first offensive drive in a loss to the New England Patriots in October. McDermott did not reveal the exact reason for the benching, and Coleman expressed frustration that he was not growing into the player the team had hoped.
âI wouldnât call it a setback,â Coleman said. âIt was just a growing pain in a sense. So yeah, it is frustrating because you know youâre better than that as a person and individual. You donât like the things that it shows. Sometimes, it might show that you donât care, and thatâs not the case, so you want to eliminate those things.â
Bills Bring Help for Offense
Outside of Coleman’s play alone, the Bills have faced criticism for a general lack of production from their wide receiving corps. The team’s group of wide receivers collectively struggled to get separation, which has increased some pressure on quarterback Josh Allen — especially in the team’s three losses this season.
The Bills made a mid-week addition to their wide receiving corps, signing former Kansas City Chiefs receiver and Super Bowl champion Mecole Hardman. The veteran receiver is starting on the practice squad and will have three elevations before the team must decide whether to sign him to the active roster.
The Bills have also brought back former receiver Gabe Davis, signing him to the practice squad, but he is still working his way back from a knee injury that cut short his 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
McDermott was asked this week when Davis might be ready to play, but the Bills head coach couldn’t give an exact timeframe.
âWeâll see,” McDermott said, via the Democrat & Chronicle. “Itâs been nice getting him back healthy again but thatâs the part we have to make sure of before we take another step.â
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bills HC Sean McDermott Turns Heads With Criticism of Keon Coleman’s Effort appeared first on Heavy Sports.