The Buffalo Bills remain confident in Keon Coleman despite a rocky stretch. Here’s why they’re standing firm.
If there’s been any assumption that the Buffalo Bills might be looking to move Keon Coleman as they explore bigger-name options through free agency or trade, that assumption doesn’t seem to line up with how the team actually feels.
Inside the building, the message has been consistent. Coleman isn’t someone they’re looking to move right now.
According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, both general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Joe Brady have been clear in their belief that Coleman is poised for the best season of his career. That belief isn’t something they’ve kept quiet, either.
Wolfe reports that Beane and Brady met directly with Coleman’s agent at the NFL Scouting Combine and made it a point to reinforce how much confidence they have in him. They laid out their vision for his role, how they see his development progressing, and why they think 2026 can be a breakout year.
That message went even higher up the ladder.
Coleman’s agent also met with Bills owner Terry Pegula, who reportedly echoed the same sentiment. Pegula made it clear how much he likes Coleman and how invested the organization is in seeing this work.
That doesn’t mean everything has been perfect.
Last season was rough at times. Coleman dealt with a couple of healthy scratches due to maturity and discipline issues, and there was frustration on both sides. Coleman wasn’t thrilled with how he was used or the opportunities he was getting, and the Bills weren’t getting the consistency they wanted.
That’s the reality. And it’s part of why this season matters so much.
The Bills understand that for this to work, it has to be collaborative. Trust has to go both ways. Coleman has to be reliable, and the coaching staff has to put him in positions where he can succeed and feel involved. That’s the balance they’re going to have to strike this offseason and beyond.
It’s also why a trade isn’t being actively pursued, even if the door is never completely closed. Wolfe notes that it would likely take a Day 2 pick in this year's NFL Draft for another team to pry Coleman away. Given the inconsistency of his first two years, getting another organization to bite at that seems unlikely.
From Coleman’s side, the focus hasn’t wavered. Wolfe says that the former Florida State Seminole is "locked in" and "not really worried about the outside noise regarding trades."
The belief internally is that he still sees himself as an impact player and is approaching his third season as a pro with that mindset.
That’s the part the Bills are betting on.
They’re don't seem to be viewing Coleman as a problem to solve or an asset to flip. They’re viewing him as a player who still has a lot of football ahead of him, and one they believe is ready to turn the corner.
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