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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 decline 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 opportunities, because opportunities aren’t coming. He’s just not getting open fast enough. Now Josh Allen is looking his way… When it’s media coverage, Josh is looking over there, but Josh drops him real quick. And some people, like them, jump into the comments and say, ‘Well, he was open on that play, but Josh dropped him.’ This means it takes too long. This means the quarterback doesn’t have confidence in your ability to make it happen. »
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Coleman was targeted 57 times in the 13 games he played in the 2024 season, finishing the year with 556 receiving yards. He has 267 receiving yards so far on 27 targets in 2025. Smith and co-host James Palmer pointed out the decline in passes thrown to Coleman since Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Coleman had eight receptions in the season opener, but only completed 19 passes over the next few 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, October 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Coleman had eight receptions in the season opener, but only completed 19 passes over the next few weeks. Coleman is 6-foot-4, while Smith is 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 a top option in the Bills’ passing game.
“And you remember, I get accused of people who are over six feet tall, ‘Oh, Steve, you’re jealous,'” Smith continued. “My man, out of 12 contested targets, he got four. That’s less than 30 cents. The five sticks of gum are 35 cents right now…. When you have halitosis, those five sticks of gum can help you and 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/Imagn Images)
“He doesn’t have the ability to be a true No. 1, and he’s not,” Smith said. “It’s not him. He can’t separate. He can’t talk his way out of trouble. He doesn’t have it. You can’t teach a dog to bark. You either have it or you don’t.”
Coleman appeared to catch wind of Smith’s remarks, but he downplayed the harsh assessment by posting four laughing face emojis on X.
The Bills are a perfect 4-0 in 2025 in games where Coleman has at least 25 receiving yards.
After losing games to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in back-to-back weeks, the Bills returned to winning ways in a resounding Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers.
The Bills will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in a rematch of the last AFC championship game.
