Steve Smith Sr. wonders if Keon Coleman’s receiving ability is elite
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Former wide receiver and current NFL analyst Steve Smith Sr. offered a harsh critique of second-year Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman.
During the latest version of ’89 with Steve Smith Sr. podcast, the former Carolina Panthers star offered a scathing critique of Coleman.
Smith’s comments centered around Coleman’s decreased production this season and his apparent inability to “separate” from defenders.
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NFL GameDay Kickoff analyst Steve Smith Sr. before the game at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Bob Doonan/USA Today Sports)
“Well, the short version: nothing,” Smith said. “I didn’t see anything from him because he didn’t have opportunities, because opportunities don’t make themselves available. He doesn’t get open fast enough. Now, Josh Allen looks his way… When it’s press coverage, Josh looks over there, but Josh gets away from him very quickly. And some people, like them, jump in the comments and say, ‘Well, he was open on this play, but Josh got out of it.’ And that means it takes too long. It means that the quarterback doesn’t have confidence in your ability to get there.”
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Coleman was targeted 57 times in 13 games played during the 2024 season, and finished the year with 556 receiving yards. He has 267 yards on 27 targets so far in 2025. Smith and his co-host, James Palmer, highlighted the decline in passes thrown to Coleman since Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Coleman had eight receptions in the first game of the season, but caught just 19 passes in the following weeks.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) reacts after converting a first down next to New York Jets defensive tackle Leki Fotu, right, and cornerback Brandin Echols, bottom, during an NFL football game in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hanger)
Coleman had eight receptions in the first game of the season, but caught just 19 passes in the following weeks. Coleman is listed at 6 feet 4 inches, while Smith was listed at 5 feet 9 inches during his NFL career. Despite the height difference, Smith made it clear he is steadfast in his doubts about Coleman’s ability to become the best option in the Bills’ passing game.
“And do you remember me accusing guys over 6 feet tall, saying, ‘Oh, Steve, you’re jealous.’” Smith continued. “Man, out of 12 contested goals, he got four. That’s less than 30 cents. Five sticks of gum are 35 cents right now…. When you have bad breath, these five sticks of gum can help you and improve and increase the chances that you won’t walk out of the club alone, and he won’t stand a chance.”
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) runs onto the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Bob Doonan/Imagine Images)
“He doesn’t have the potential to be a true No. 1, and he’s not,” Smith said. “He’s not the man. He can’t get the separation. He can’t get out of the jam. He doesn’t have it. You can’t teach a dog how to bark. You either get it or you don’t.”
Coleman appeared to be touched by Smith’s comments, but downplayed the harsh assessment by posting four smiley face emojis to X.
The Bills have a perfect 4-0 record in 2025 in games where Coleman has at least 25 receiving yards.
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After losing games to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in back-to-back weeks, the Bills got back on the winning track in a big Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers.
The Bills host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in a rematch of their most recent AFC Championship game.
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