Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman took responsibility for a debated play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in his second preseason game.
In doing so, Coleman came off as anything but a rookie.
Buffalo topped Pittsburgh, 9-3, in their second preseason outing. While a win, there were no touchdowns for the Bills. The team has not scored one during the exhibition season.
Coleman had a great look at getting one. On a quick route to the end zone, Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw a strike Coleman’s way but the rookie could not haul it in.
There was a debate about whether the pass was too far in front of him or if Coleman dropped it. In his own mind, it was the latter.
“Just a drop,” Coleman said via video conference. “Focus drop. You got to look the ball in and make the play.”
It was not a perfect pass by any means but Coleman taking responsibility is something the Bills coaching staff will love. It shows a desire to be better.
And despite the drop, coaches are still backing him–Specifically, offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
The OC referenced Brady’s daily drive in practice to be a much more important factor than one play in an exhibition contest.
“I love where Keon is at as a football player,” Brady said. “I’m not always as focused on where the production is at.”
It remains to be seen if Coleman suits up and plays against the Carolina Panthers in Buffalo’s preseason finale on Saturday. Head coach Sean McDermott announced that the Bills will not be playing starters because of a string of injuries the team has sustained, but as a rookie, Coleman could see time.
Or he might have to wait until the regular season for his first-career touchdown.