Bills owner Terry Pegula says coaches pushed Keon Coleman pick

The Buffalo Bills‘ coaching staff pushed the organization to draft struggling wide receiver Keon Coleman, according to team owner Terry Pegula, who defended team executive Brandon Beane and attempted to explain Beane’s role in selecting Coleman during a news conference held Wednesday in the aftermath of coach Sean McDermott’s firing earlier this week.

As part of a wide-ranging news conference, Beane was asked about the quality of the Bills’ wide receivers and the performance of Coleman, a second-round draft pick in 2024.

Beane, who was promoted to president of football operations on the same day McDermott was fired, was interrupted by Pegula before he could answer the question.

“I’ll address the Keon situation. The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon,” Pegula said. “I’m not saying Brandon wouldn’t have drafted him, but [Coleman] wasn’t his next choice.

“That was Brandon being a team player and taking advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player. And you know, he’s taken — for some reason — heat over it, and not saying a word about it. But I’m here to tell you the true story.”

Pegula later clarified to The Associated Press he was not referring to McDermott, but rather another coach, whom he declined to name.

Coleman’s representation declined comment when reached by ESPN.

Coleman was selected by Buffalo with the 33rd overall pick in 2024 but has scuffled through two disappointing seasons with the Bills. The former Florida State star was disciplined by the team in November and was a healthy scratch for four games this season, also failing to eclipse 50 receiving yards in a game since the season opener.

By the end of the season, Coleman slid down the depth chart and was Buffalo’s sixth wide receiver.

One feeling inside the organization was that Pegula was simply telling the truth about the situation. There have been questions from outside of the organization whether Coleman has been used in the best way in Buffalo’s offense.

In a video from the 2024 draft process posted by the team, Beane is seen saying in the draft room, “We’re gonna get the guy we feel is the best fit.”

Beane attempted to clarify the selection process of Coleman later during Wednesday’s news conference, insisting it “was my pick.”

“I made the pick,” he said. “Terry’s point was that we might have had a different order of personnel versus coaching, and I went that way. But ultimately, I’m not turning a pick for a player that I don’t think we can succeed with. So don’t misunderstand that.”

Coleman, 22, had 38 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games this season. Beane acknowledged that the Bills must strengthen their wide receivers room, but also said he’s not willing to give up on Coleman.

“Keon Coleman is a young player that has been here two years, has two years left on his deal,” Beane said. “It’s up to us to work with him and develop him. His issues have not been on the field. They’ve just been maturity things that he owns. I give him credit. … He doesn’t make excuses, which I appreciate.”

Beane also said that Coleman is a player that he still believes in and that there were other decisions “that maybe coaches weren’t as high on.”

When it comes to player reaction to the news of McDermott being fired, many were outspoken on social media about their disappointment or strong positive feelings towards the coach. Pegula, however, said that he was not aware of what players said.

“Everybody has their opinion. We can all speak our mind,” Pegula said. “I don’t look at this stuff, so I don’t even know who those players are. Trust me, I don’t look at what everybody is saying. I made the decision and it’s my decision.”

ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg and The Associated Press contributed to this report.