Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has never been shy about praising his teammates, but when it comes to wide receiver Keon Coleman, his words carry extra weight.
Coleman, entering his second season with the Bills, has been brutally honest about his rookie year, even going so far as to call his own tape “trash.” But Allen sees a hungry, motivated player ready to take a big leap in Year 2.
Josh Allen Praises the Growth of Keon Coleman and Work Ethic
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Allen was asked what advice he’d give Coleman as he enters his second season and what he expects from him.
“I wouldn’t say I expect anything out of him, but all I can say is he is 100% taking this seriously,” Allen said. “He’s bigger right now. He’s faster. He’s stronger. He understands the playbook better. I think we’re talking more, we’re still conversing about how we can be better, where certain balls will be thrown.”
Allen went on to praise not just his teammate’s physical improvements, but also his mentality and potential impact on the team.
“He’s a stud, and I’ve said this for a long time,” Allen continued. “That’s why I wanted him. His body control is up there with anybody that I’ve ever played with. He’s a very hungry kid, and I think that going out there and playing the way I do, I think it’ll be a very good year for him. The more that we can make sure that we’re on the same page and talking is going to help our relationship on and off the field grow.”
Josh Allen on Keon Coleman’s development as a player:
“He sent me a couple of long texts of wanting to be better.”
Allen says Coleman has “already put on some weight and he’s gotten a little bit stronger.” pic.twitter.com/2COMeyzdYf
— Andy Young (@AndyYoungTV) April 22, 2025
Allen’s comments suggest that Coleman is fully locked in, working to improve every aspect of his game.
Coleman Reflects Candidly on First-Year Struggles
Coleman hasn’t sugarcoated his self-assessment of his first year in Buffalo. When talking to the media on Wednesday, June 11, he was brutally honest about his rookie tape, saying:
“You want to know exactly what I see? Man, that s**t trash,” Coleman said. “You gotta be better. It’s simple as that. You gotta be more efficient here. You gotta get out of this break. You gotta stack your DB. You gotta give Josh more room to throw the ball. You gotta catch that. You gotta make that block. You gotta give that extra effort on the touchdown block, so if Jimbo [James Cook] breaks it, he’s up the sideline.”
“You wanna know exactly what I see? Man that s*** trash. You gotta be better.”
-Keon Coleman on ‘self reflecting’ and watching the tape back on things he needs to improve on.#BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus pic.twitter.com/QpR4tU5Pos
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) June 11, 2025
Coleman finished his rookie season with 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns, but he knows he left a lot on the table.
Why the Mindset of Coleman Could Lead to a Breakout Year
Coleman’s willingness to critique himself is a sign of maturity. Instead of making excuses, he’s taking accountability and working to fix his mistakes. This offseason, he has focused on getting stronger, improving his route running and building chemistry with Allen. If he can translate that work onto the field, he could become a key weapon for Buffalo’s offense.
With star wideout Stefon Diggs leaving to the Houston Texans after the 2023 season, the Bills are looking for someone to step up as Allen’s primary target. Coleman has the size, athleticism and work ethic to fill that role. If his hunger and determination pay off, 2025 could be the year he proves his rookie tape wrong and emerges as a true difference-maker for Buffalo.