Keon Coleman called his rookie season “trash,” and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has already seen a tangible difference in the wide receiver’s second season.
Allen told Sports Illustrated he has noticed Coleman’s improvements and commitment to getting better during the team’s minicamp last week.
Coleman, the 6-4, 215-pound wideout who Buffalo chose with the 33rd overall pick in 2024, still managed to finish second on the Bills with 556 yards and four touchdown catches despite posting only 29 receptions in his rookie season.
But he recently told reporters he expects more from himself in Year 2 in the NFL. Allen, the team’s “unquestioned offensive leader,” according to coach Sean McDermott, has already seen the transition take place.
What Did Josh Allen Say About Keon Coleman’s Progress?
Allen was asked about Coleman’s brutally honest self appraisal by SI’s Liam McKeone and what advice and expectations he has for the wideout in his second season as a pro.
“Iwouldn’t say I expect anything out of him, but all I can say is he is 100 percent taking this seriously,” Allen told SI. “He’s bigger right now. He’s faster. He’s stronger. He understands the playbook better. I think we’re talking more, we’re still conversing about how we can be better, where certain balls will be thrown.”
Allen said he is committed to helping Coleman improve by keeping the lines of communication open throughout the off-season, even though Allen recently got married in a high-profile ceremony to actor/singer Hailee Steinfeld.
“The more that we can make sure that we’re on the same page and talking is going to help our relationship on and off the field grow,” Allen said.
Allen also lauded Coleman’s competitive fire and skills, which is why he lobbied for the Bills to pick him out of Florida State in 2024. He has high hopes for the wide receiver in 2025.
“He’s a stud, and I’ve said this for a long time. That’s why I wanted him,” Allen said. “His body control is up there with anybody that I’ve ever played with. He’s a very hungry kid, and I think that going out there and playing the way I do, I think it’ll be a very good year for him.”
What Did Josh Allen Say About The Tush Push?
Though the Philadelphia Eagles helped standardize the “Brotherly Shove” play, Allen and the Bills have been known to use it too.
Though the Bills and Eagles have been successful at running it, some teams have not — hello, New York Giants! Allen has a theory why.
“You look at a few teams that try to do it, and it doesn’t have the same success. Because, one, they maybe don’t practice it enough or, two, they don’t have the guys to do it,” Allen said
Though Allen was famously stopped in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he also scored seven rushing touchdowns from exactly one yard out.
So count him among those who are excited that the play was not banned this off-season.
“I’m a big believer in if you can’t stop it, keep running it, right?” Allen told SI. “Just because a couple teams do it better than others, I don’t feel like it should be banned.
“I feel like if you can use it to your benefit, use it to your benefit. If you don’t like it, my advice is to stop it.”
