Bills' Retired Three-Time 1,000-Yard WR Shows How He's Fixing Keon Coleman's Game

Keon Coleman has been a disappointment in his first two seasons in the NFL after being selected 33rd overall in 2024 by the Buffalo Bills, notching only 67 catches for 960 yards and eight touchdowns over that span.

In his quest to prove himself in an upgraded receiver room following the trade for former Chicago Bear DJ Moore, Coleman has been getting help from Stevie Johnson, who topped 1,000 yards in three straight seasons from 2010 to 2012 with the Bills.

Johnson spoke with Kyle Odegard of Casino.org on Wednesday, and the two discussed Coleman's future with Buffalo and how Johnson has helped him.

Much like Coleman, Johnson got off to a slow start in his career, totaling only 112 receiving yards in his first two NFL seasons before taking off in Year 3 with the first of his 1,000-yard campaigns. He brought up two main areas he has emphasized with Coleman in the offseason.

Route-running intricacies

Sep 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) runs for a gain past New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Johnson was known for his route-running savvy, and it was the first thing he harped on. He said he only met with Coleman once in his first two NFL seasons, something that he now recognizes the impact of.

Coleman played football and basketball in college and was considered raw entering the NFL. Johnson said that Coleman lacked a plan against defensive backs in his first two seasons, but he now thinks things will slow down for Coleman.

"It’s not necessarily about the juke move. It’s about imposing your dominance in their area and then controlling them," Johnson said. "They’re all going to react to you, and then it’s about utilizing different moves to set up their reactions, so you can counter."

Not disputing Keon Coleman having a bad separation score but how is the route win rate 0%? These aren't wins? What do you want him to do better here lmao https://t.co/kwaqVNWsZp pic.twitter.com/9BdVDSrmgR
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 9, 2025

“We just dove into it, and within his responses, I understood why in goal-line last year they didn’t want to really throw it to you as much, because you were telegraphing your route," Johnson said.

The stats speak for themselves. Coleman only had nine red-zone targets in 2025, third on the Bills behind Dawson Knox and Khalil Shakir.

The locker room atmosphere will also play a key role in Coleman's development under new head coach Joe Brady, and Johnson understands how it can affect a player's career.

Maturity issues

Coleman didn't just struggle on the field. He missed four games for disciplinary reasons, including being late to team meetings. Johnson said the lack of leadership among the receivers led to his missteps.

“I had Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, Josh Reed, Felton Huggins, Justin Jenkins,” Johnson said. “I had five people that were veterans already in the league that I could bounce things off of."

For reference, the only receiver on Buffalo's Week 1 roster in 2025 who began his career before 2020 was Curtis Samuel, who joined the Bills in 2024 as a free agent. Even after Buffalo signed 32-year-old Brandin Cooks on Nov. 25, 2025, the damage had already been done.

"They’re trying to find their way and now you’ve got this kid coming in. Not setting the alarm clock, talking a little bit, that’s the youth in him," Johnson said. "And that’s not having a person in the room to say, ‘Hey, chill,’ like I had.”

Johnson pointed out Bills legend Andre Reed, who found his footing in Year 3 before becoming a seven-time Pro Bowler, as an example of what Coleman could become. "He’s going to be able to soak all this up, and it’s going to come together for him,” Johnson said. “Year 3 is usually that time."

Coleman's third season will be pivotal for his development, and spending time with Johnson may help him take a step forward if given the opportunity. Johnson has faith in the young receiver.