In some ways, the Buffalo Bills are surging at just the right time. With their 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, the Bills are on a four-game winning streak with eyes on a spot in the postseason.
But in others, it's getting harder to see how Josh Allen and the Bills can take full advantage of what is shaping up to be a favorable playoff field without Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, or Lamar Jackson to contend with. In large part, it’s because Allen’s receiving options are so dismal. And in Week 16, they got worse.
Second-year wideout Keon Coleman was benched for the third time this season despite being healthy enough to play. The first time, in Week 11, was disciplinary. The following week was circumstantial because of the short week. This time, he was benched in favor of a player who didn’t get a target against Cleveland, Mecole Hardman.
Buffalo Bills watching Keon Coleman situation spiral at worst possible time
The Bills knew they weren’t going to be throwing much against the Browns on Sunday. Cleveland has a terrific pass defense, and Myles Garrett was hunting for an NFL record. Understandably, the Bills leaned on their rushing attack early.
Still, Coleman’s absence isn’t made easier to swallow when the other receivers also don’t produce. If anything, it makes it more obvious how poorly things are going for the 22-year-old receiver who was the 33rd-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Coleman has missed three unnecessary games and was shut out of the box score against the Patriots in Week 15. That’s four games where the team’s highest potential receiver and the expected WR1 from the offseason did nothing to help the offense in any capacity while being completely healthy.
It’s a bad sign, and it has many questioning Coleman’s future with the team.
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If Coleman can’t contribute effectively down the stretch, then general manager Brandon Beane will have to consider whether trading the young, promising receiver is the right move for the franchise. Obviously, Beane has a lot of work ahead of him to address the position in the offseason, but if Coleman isn’t going to be a part of the plans, it only makes that job harder.
In the meantime, the Bills are leaning on their running game, tight ends, and counting on Allen to play Superman when the game is on the line. Hopefully, it’ll be enough in the postseason to make a run toward the Super Bowl. And hopefully, along the way, Coleman becomes a positive fixture in the offense, too.