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Former wide receiver and current NFL analyst Steve Smith Sr. harshly criticized Buffalo Bills second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman.
During the latest edition of the “89 with Steve Smith Sr” podcast, the former Carolina Panthers star offered a scathing critique of Coleman.
Smith’s comments focused on Coleman’s drop in 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 Donnan/USA TODAY Sports)
“Well, the short version: nothing,” Smith said. “I haven’t seen anything from him because he hasn’t had the opportunities, because the opportunities aren’t available. He just doesn’t get open fast enough. Now, Josh Allen looks in his direction… When there’s press coverage, Josh looks over there, but Josh moves away from him very quickly. And some people, like they do, jump on the commentary and say, ‘Well, he was open on this play, but Josh ran away from him.’ That means he’s taking too long. That means the quarterback doesn’t have confidence in your ability to get there.”
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Coleman was targeted 57 times in the 13 games he played during the 2024 season, finishing the year with 556 receiving yards. He has 267 receiving yards on 27 targets so far in 2025. Smith and his co-host James Palmer highlighted the drop 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 only 19 passes in the following weeks.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) reacts after converting a first down alongside New York Jets defensive tackle Leki Fotu, right, and cornerback Brandin Echols, bottom, during an NFL football game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Coleman had eight receptions in the first game of the season, but caught only 19 passes in the following weeks. Coleman is listed at 6-foot-4, while Smith is listed at 5-foot-9 during his NFL career. Despite the height difference, Smith made it clear that he remains steadfast in his doubts about Coleman’s ability to become one of the top options in the Bills’ passing game.
“And you remember, I get accused of people who are taller than 6 feet, ‘Oh, Steve, you’re jealous,'” Smith continued. “My man, out of 12 targets in contention, got four. That’s less than 30 cents. Five pieces of gum are 35 cents right now… When you have halitosis, those five pieces of gum can help, improve and increase your percentage of not leaving the club alone, and he doesn’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 Donnan/Image Images)
“He doesn’t have the ability to be a true No. 1, and he isn’t,” Smith said. “He’s not the guy. He can’t get the separation. He can’t get out of trouble. He doesn’t have it. You can’t teach a dog to bark. You either make it or you don’t.”
Coleman appeared to catch wind of Smith’s comments, but downplayed the harsh assessment by posting four smiley face emojis on X.
The Bills are a perfect 4-0 in 2025 in games in which Coleman has at least 25 receiving yards.
After losing games to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in consecutive weeks, the Bills got back to winning ways with a blowout Week 8 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
The Bills host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in a rematch of the most recent AFC Championship Game.
