Former wideout and current NFL commentator Steve Smith Sr. heavily criticized Buffalo Bills second-year receiver Keon Coleman.
During the most recent “89 with Steve Smith Sr” podcast, the former Carolina Panthers standout presented a harsh assessment of Coleman.
Smith’s remarks focused on Coleman’s decreased productivity this year and his apparent struggle to “get separation” from defenders.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“Well, the short version: nothing,” Smith stated. “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.”
TOM BRADY’S NFL POWER RANKINGS: WE HAVE A NEW NO. 1, AND IT HAS TB12 FEELING ‘SICK’
Coleman was targeted 57 times across 13 games in the 2024 season, ending the year with 556 receiving yards. In 2025 so far, he has 267 receiving yards on 27 targets. Smith and his co-host, James Palmer, emphasized the decline in passes thrown to Coleman since the start of the 2025 season.
Coleman made eight catches in the season opener but has only secured 19 catches in the weeks since.
Coleman had eight receptions in the first game of the season but has hauled in just 19 passes in the ensuing weeks. Coleman is listed at 6 feet 4 inches, while Smith was listed at 5 feet 9 inches during his NFL career. Despite the size difference, Smith emphasized his unwavering doubts regarding Coleman’s potential to become a primary 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 continued. “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.”
Coleman seemed to be aware of Smith’s statements but dismissed the harsh review by posting four laughing emojis on X.
The Bills boast a perfect 4-0 record in 2025 in games where Coleman accumulates at least 25 receiving yards.
After suffering losses to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in back-to-back weeks, the Bills returned to their winning ways with a dominant Week 8 victory against the Carolina Panthers.
The Bills will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in a rematch of the most recent AFC Championship Game.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
