Steve Smith Sr. Critiques Buffalo Bills WR Keon Coleman: A Deep Dive into Performance Issues
In a recent episode of the "89 with Steve Smith Sr." podcast, former NFL wide receiver and current analyst Steve Smith Sr. delivered a stark criticism of Buffalo Bills second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman. Smith’s comments focused on Coleman’s declining production this season and his struggles to create separation from defenders.
During the podcast, Smith bluntly stated, “Well, the short version: nothing.” He elaborated, expressing his concern over Coleman’s lack of opportunities, attributing this to his slow separation from defenders. "When Josh Allen looks his way, he quickly moves on," Smith noted, highlighting the quarterback’s diminishing confidence in Coleman’s ability to get open.
In the 2024 season, Coleman was targeted 57 times across 13 games, amassing 556 receiving yards. However, his performance in the 2025 season has taken a noticeable downturn, with only 267 receiving yards on 27 targets so far. Smith and his co-host, James Palmer, pointed out that Coleman enjoyed a strong start with eight receptions in the season opener but has since struggled, catching just 19 passes in the following weeks.
Coleman, standing at 6 feet 4 inches, contrasts sharply with Smith, who played at 5 feet 9 inches. Despite this height advantage, Smith expressed skepticism about Coleman’s potential as a top receiver for the Bills. “Out of 12 contested targets, he caught only four. That’s not impressive,” Smith asserted, using a clever analogy about gum prices to emphasize the urgency for improvement.
Smith further stated, “He doesn’t have the ability to be a true No. 1, and he’s not. He can’t get separation and can’t get off the jam. You can’t teach a dog how to bark; you either have it or you don’t.”
In response to Smith’s tough assessment, Coleman appeared to take it in stride, posting four laughing emojis on social media. Interestingly, the Bills have maintained a perfect 4-0 record in 2025 during games where Coleman has achieved at least 25 receiving yards.
After suffering back-to-back losses against the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, the Bills rebounded with a commanding victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. They are now set to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in a highly anticipated rematch of the recent AFC Championship Game.
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