Rookie WR Keon Coleman Wants The Bills To Bench Him For The Rest Of The Season And Give His Opportunities To A Veteran After His Own Decline In Performance
Buffalo, New York. The Buffalo Bills entered the 2025 season believing rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman could grow into a valuable complementary piece. For the first three to four weeks, the flashes were there. His size and contested-catch ability offered promise, and he looked like a young receiver slowly finding his place.
But as the season progressed, Coleman’s performance trended sharply downward. His separation against man coverage became inconsistent. His timing with Josh Allen stalled. Coaches noted repeated issues in route discipline and assignment accuracy. The decline came to a head in Week 11 when, according to Reuters, Coleman was made inactive after arriving late to the pre-game meeting. Inside the organization, the move was viewed as a necessary disciplinary standard.
Meanwhile, veteran wideout Khalil Shakir has been one of Buffalo’s most reliable offensive players all season. His route precision, toughness after the catch and ability to consistently execute have made him a trusted target for Josh Allen. Shakir has been the steady force in a receiver room that has needed exactly that.
And it is Shakir’s excellence that led to the moment that surprised many in Western New York. According to team sources, Coleman personally approached the Bills coaching staff this week and asked that Shakir receive the majority of the snaps for the remainder of the season. Coleman believes Shakir has earned the workload through performance, while his own struggles require accountability rather than excuses.
When speaking to reporters, Coleman delivered a candid message. “I’m not running from what’s happened. I owe it to the Bills to be better. I owe it to myself. This team believed in me from Day 1, and I’m not letting one rough stretch define who I am or what I can become here.”
Coaches inside the Bills facility have praised Shakir all season for his consistency and professionalism. They have also acknowledged Coleman’s willingness to take responsibility as a rare trait for a young player facing adversity. Still, Buffalo needs stability as the playoff race intensifies, and Shakir’s performance has made him one of the most trusted players on the roster.
This shift comes at a crucial point in the year. Coleman was drafted with long-term potential, but his midseason regression forces the Bills to prioritize reliability over projection. Shakir has been that reliability. Coleman recognizes it. And the team is expected to lean even heavier on the veteran in the coming weeks.
If Coleman can turn this accountability into growth, this chapter may become a defining moment in his development. But for now, he is choosing to step back so that the teammate who has earned the role can step forward.
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