Keon Coleman‘s development as the Buffalo Bills‘ top receiver has not matched expectations through the early portion of the season.

His struggles have created growing concern among the fanbase, with some now calling for the team to explore trade options before the NFL’s Nov. 4 deadline.

In an offense designed to push the ball downfield, Coleman’s limited production as the presumed number one target has drawn sharp criticism.

That criticism intensified when NFL legend Steve Smith delivered a blunt assessment of the young receiver:

“You can’t teach a dog how to bark. You either got it or you don’t,” Smith said of Coleman.

Steve Smith says he doesn’t think Keon Coleman is ‘the guy’ in Buffalo pic.twitter.com/trLqrbNhek

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 30, 2025

Smith noted that Coleman’s current struggles mirror the difficulties he faced during his own rookie season.

Coleman dedicated his offseason to improving route precision and speed, but those adjustments have not translated to consistent results on the field.

After opening the year with 112 receiving yards against the Baltimore Ravens, his production has dropped significantly.

Over the past six games, he has averaged just 25.8 yards per contest.

Only three of his 27 receptions have gained more than 20 yards.

When asked about Smith’s remarks, Coleman dismissed the topic, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.

“Nah, no comment on that. Next question,” Coleman said.

Coleman’s decision to avoid engaging with the criticism shows maturity, but the Bills cannot afford an extended learning curve.

Buffalo is positioned for a deep playoff run, and recent offensive inconsistency has placed added importance on his development.

The timeline for improvement has become urgent.

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