The Buffalo Bills faced pointed questions Wednesday as owner Terry Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane spoke publicly for the first time since the dismissal of head coach Sean McDermott. The press conference, which also marked the start of Buffalo’s first coaching search since 2017, quickly shifted toward the team’s underwhelming wide receiver production and the decision to draft Keon Coleman.
When Beane was asked about criticism that quarterback Josh Allen lacked sufficient weapons, Pegula stepped in and redirected responsibility for the Coleman pick toward the former coaching staff.
“Can I interrupt,” Pegula said. “I’ll address the Keon situation. The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon. I’m not saying Brandon wouldn’t have drafted him, but he wasn’t his next choice. That was Brandon being a team player and taking advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player. You know, he’s taken, for some reason, heat over it. And not saying a word about it. But I’m here to tell you the true story.”
Later in the session, Beane pushed back on that characterization, stating plainly, “He was my pick,” in reference to Coleman. The remark echoed previous draft-cycle comments in which Beane publicly praised the receiver.
Coleman, selected 33rd overall in 2024, has yet to meet expectations. The former second-round pick has struggled to carve out a consistent role and was benched multiple times this season as Buffalo searched for offensive stability following the departure of Stefon Diggs.
While the debate over who ultimately endorsed the pick may be secondary, Pegula’s comments created an uncomfortable spotlight on a player still under contract.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].