Bengals Could Benefit from Trading for Ex-Bills Draft Bust

The Buffalo Bills may be considering a change with wide receiver Keon Coleman, leading to speculation about his potential trade. Recently, Bills owner Terry Pegula expressed his views regarding Coleman. He defended General Manager Brandon Beane’s decision to draft the young talent while also indicating that he was not Beane’s first choice. Pegula’s comments suggest that the coaching staff had a strong influence on the selection.

Bills’ Investment in Coleman

Keon Coleman was drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft as the 33rd overall pick. The Bills traded with the Carolina Panthers to secure him. In his rookie season, Coleman impressed with 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns over 13 games, starting 12 of them. However, his performance declined in the following season, where he recorded 38 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns, while appearing in only 13 games and starting six.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite being healthy, Coleman was benched for four games in 2025 due to disciplinary reasons. This decision followed an incident where he was late to a team meeting. Such issues have strained his relationship with the franchise, especially after Pegula’s critical remarks about previous coaching decisions involving Coleman.

Trade Possibilities for Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals, in need of wide receiver depth, may find Coleman an appealing option now. Earlier, they attempted to strengthen their receiving corps by drafting Jermaine Burton in 2024, but released him before the 2025 season ended. With this in mind, trading for Coleman could be a strategic move.

• Potential Cost: The Bills might accept a trade involving a sixth-round pick.
• Current Draft Situation: The Bengals possess two sixth-round picks but lack a fifth-round pick.

Coleman’s moments of brilliance, such as a standout performance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, where he had eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown, highlight his potential. However, his overall inconsistency makes him a risky yet intriguing prospect for Cincinnati.

Salary Considerations

If traded, Coleman has a contract that includes a $1.7 million salary for 2026 and $2.1 million for 2027, with $1.7 million guaranteed. With both Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones entering contract years, the Bengals are looking for affordable talent. Acquiring Coleman could provide a valuable option without putting pressure on him to be a primary receiver.

Coleman’s skill set could complement existing players like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. While the Bills viewed him as a potential star, the Bengals may utilize him as a valuable depth option, maximizing his talents within their system.

The Bengals should seriously consider reaching out to Buffalo about Coleman as they seek to enhance their wide receiver group this offseason.