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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 14: Steve Smith Sr. looks on before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on September 14, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Former wide receiver and current NFL analyst Steve Smith Sr. offered a sharp criticism of Buffalo Bills second-year wideout Keon Coleman.
In the latest episode of his “89 with Steve Smith Sr.” podcast, the former Carolina Panthers star delivered a blistering assessment of Coleman.
“Well, the short version: nothing,” Smith said. “I haven’t seen anything from him because he hasn’t had the opportunities, because opportunities don’t make themselves available. He just doesn’t get open fast enough. Now, Josh Allen looks his way… When it’s press coverage, Josh looks over there, but Josh gets off of him very fast. And some people, like they do, jump in the comments and say, ‘Well, he was open on this play, but Josh got off of him.’ That means he’s taking too long. That means the quarterback doesn’t have confidence in your ability to get there.”
Keon Coleman’s Production Down This Season
Coleman is playing in an offense that has prioritized the run this season, despite having MVP quarterback Allen. Smith’s remarks focused on Coleman’s decline in performance this season.
During the 2024 season, Coleman was targeted 57 times over 13 games, finishing with 556 receiving yards. So far in 2025, he’s recorded 267 yards on 27 targets. Smith and his co-host, James Palmer, pointed out the noticeable decrease in passes thrown his way since Week 1.
GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 26: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills runs onto the field in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
Coleman caught eight passes in the season opener but has managed only 19 receptions in the weeks that followed.
Coleman stands at 6 feet 4 inches, while Smith measured 5 feet 9 inches during his playing days. Despite the height gap, Smith made it clear he remains unconvinced that Coleman can develop into a premier target in the Bills’ passing attack.
“And you remember, I get accused of people who are taller than 6-feet, ‘Oh, Steve, you’re jealous,’” Smith said. “My man, out of 12 contested targets, he got four. That is less than 30 cents. The five stick of gum is 35 cents right now…. When you got halitosis, those five sticks of gum can help and improve and higher your percentage of not walking out the club lonely, and he ain’t got a chance.”
“He doesn’t have the ability to be a true No. 1, and he’s not,” Smith said. “He ain’t the guy. Can’t get separation. Can’t get off the jam. Doesn’t have it. You can’t teach a dog how to bark. You either got it or you don’t.”
Keon Coleman Says He Was Unaware of the Comment
Coleman’s believed initial reaction was a post on X of four laughing emojis, but he was asked directly about Smith’s remarks on Thursday.
“No comment on that,” Coleman said.
A reporter pressed Coleman, though, and the receiver provided a few more remarks.
“I don’t even really know what he said, so that’s why I said no comment,” Coleman said. “I feel like I handle things pretty good. The ups and downs of it, the flows of being a professional. I feel pretty confident about that.”
