ORCHARD PARK – Following a preseason victory for the Buffalo Bills against the Pittsburgh Steelers, all attention during a recent press conference was on rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman’s missed opportunity for a touchdown. Coleman openly acknowledged his mistake saying it was a “focus drop.” He explained that he failed to secure the ball properly which resulted in the missed catch.
The incident occurred towards the end of the first half when Coleman, running a quick slant from the left, beat his defender. However, he hesitated when a Steelers safety approached, leading to a mishandled catch right at the goal line.
Despite some fans defending Coleman by criticizing quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s pass, Coleman himself accepted full responsibility. He admitted, “I feel like any ball that comes my way, I can catch it.”
While surely a frustrating moment for Coleman, he views it as a learning experience, noting the importance of quickly moving past mistakes. The team’s response has been supportive, featuring light-hearted jokes rather than prolonging criticism.
Throughout training camp, the former Florida State standout has proven himself, quickly rising in the depth chart of wide receivers. His performances indicate he will be a significant player in offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s strategy for the season, despite some rookie errors observed in preseason games. Notably, in an earlier game against the Bears, Coleman struggled to gain separation during two end-zone targets.
Brady expressed strong confidence in Coleman’s abilities, particularly appreciating his competitive spirit in practices and his adaptability to the NFL, especially in areas like blocking in the run game—an essential skill that adds versatility to his role.
Coleman’s transition from college to professional football also seems smooth off the field. His charismatic presence was felt immediately when he arrived at One Bills Drive, sharing light moments about adjusting to Buffalo’s winter and local treats like Wegmans cookies.
But with the regular season nearing, Coleman is all business: “It’s football season,” he stated emphatically, showing readiness to focus entirely on his game and contributions to the team.
The question now is whether Coleman’s offseason developments and his mental toughness post the dropped pass will translate into consistent, effective performances in the regular season. The Bills, fans, and indeed Coleman himself, are eager to see if his preparations will fulfill the promise of his second-round draft pick status.