Ahead of the Buffalo Bills' thrilling Week 11 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, news broke that Keon Coleman would be a healthy scratch. It was immediately reported that the decision had nothing to do with Coleman’s performance, then NFL insider Adam Schefter reveled that Coleman was being benched after missing a team meeting Friday morning.
Following Sunday’s game, reporters caught up with Coleman in the locker room to get his side of the story, and thoughts on being a healthy scratch. The young receiver took accountability with an honest statement, saying, he was late for a meeting and he has to be better. Coleman also emphasized that he knew what was coming, because, “you can’t keep doing… you can’t make those type of mistakes.”
We just spoke with Keon Coleman as he left the locker room. He confirmed he was late for a meeting and continually said he “just has to be better.”
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) November 16, 2025
Keon Coleman takes accountability for being benched in Week 11
Bills head coach Sean McDermott also spoke on the situation after the game, saying it was his decision to bench the young receiver, and while the situation is disappointing, he still believes in the young man. Coleman is speaking like he learned his lesson, but he will have the opportunity to prove it moving forward. If he takes care of business off the field, he should return to the lineup next week, and will be able to redeem himself.
On the season, Coleman has 32 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns, in nine games. He’s on pace to surpass the 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns he posted as a rookie, but Coleman hasn’t quite met the high expectations set for him as a 2024 second-round pick. That could be in part because of his shortcomings off the field that are coming to light.
As McDermott emphasized, Coleman is still a young man, and the team isn’t giving up on him. The wideout is just 22 years old, and is only half way through his second season. That isn’t an excuse for him to be late or absent to meetings, but it is a reason why the team shouldn’t give up on him just yet. However, it is important to discipline him, and that’s what happened on Sunday. Coleman says he knows he has to be better, and he will now be able to prove it.