Football is back in the air, and the Buffalo Bills are at training camp. Things are different this year with Joe Brady running the show, and the pressure is on to make a jump they couldn't make under Sean McDermott.
They need everyone to bring their best foot forward, and stress is certainly on receiver Keon Coleman. His first two years in the NFL have been underwhelming, and he knows he needs to elevate things in 2026.
With that being said, Coleman is doing everything in his power to make an impact, and that means he'll compete for a new role. According to Bills reporter Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com, Coleman is getting some looks at punt returner. On Wednesday, he was back there with Mecole Hardman, Max Tomczak, and Mac Dalena.
And with him needing to make plays for this team, he's looking at other avenues to have a role.
Keon Coleman isn't hiding what's at stake with the Bills
When speaking to reporters during OTAs, Coleman didn't hide away from the pressure of the upcoming season.
"For me, it's make or break. If you s***, you might not be here, simple as that. I know what I'm capable of. So, if I fall anything short of that, I'm doing myself a disservice and my team," Coleman said per ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg.
Last season was a complete disaster for Coleman, as he was a healthy scratch for several games, and even when he was on the field, Coleman wasn't involved in the game plan.
It was obvious that he fell out of favor with the coaching staff, but going into 2026, Brady has his back. In January, Brady said Coleman was going to be on the football team, but it's up to the Florida State product to prove it. And fielding punts and potentially winning that job is an outlet to do so.
He hadn't done that at the NFL level, but he has experience from his college days. During the 2023 campaign with the Seminoles, Coleman logged 25 punt returns for 300 yards, which led the team.
Coleman isn't the fastest receiver, and that could be a hurdle for him in this competition, but putting his hat in the ring shows his willingness.
That shows he understands he needs to find ways to be productive for this team. If not, his time in Buffalo will be limited.
In 26 games with the Bills, Coleman has compiled 67 catches for 960 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. That's not the kind of production they expected for a receiver who was supposed to be their WR1. The pressure is on, and Coleman knows it, making this summer the most pivotal one of his NFL career.
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