Bills Eye Keon Coleman Trade for 13-TD Pro Bowl WR

Buffalo looks to shake up roster, targeting Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. in potential deal involving Keon Coleman

Feb. 23, 2026 at 11:15pm

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The Buffalo Bills, coming off a disappointing 2025 season, are reportedly considering trading wide receiver Keon Coleman as part of a major roster overhaul. Analysts suggest the Bills could package Coleman with a first-round pick to acquire Jaguars' wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., a Pro Bowl player with 13 touchdowns last season.

Why it matters

The Bills' receiving corps struggled with chemistry and production in 2025, and the team is under pressure to find a reliable No. 1 target for quarterback Josh Allen. Acquiring a proven playmaker like Thomas could provide the offensive spark the Bills need to make a deeper playoff run and end their decades-long Super Bowl drought.

The details

Keon Coleman, once viewed as a potential go-to receiver for the Bills, had an underwhelming 2025 campaign marked by absences, clashes with the coaching staff, and just 404 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. With a coaching change and the team's dissatisfaction with Coleman's role and attitude, the Bills are now poised to part ways with the wideout as part of a broader roster rebuild. ESPN's Bill Barnwell has proposed a trade that would send Coleman and a first-round pick to the Jaguars in exchange for their Pro Bowl receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who had 13 touchdowns in 2025 but saw a drop in production. The move would give the Bills a proven 'X' receiver to pair with Josh Allen, while the Jaguars would acquire valuable draft capital to address other roster needs.

  • The Bills' playoff hopes ended abruptly in the 2025 Divisional Round due to a critical Josh Allen meltdown.
  • Head coach Sean McDermott was relieved of duty, prompting team owner Terry Pegula to express open dissatisfaction with Keon Coleman's role and attitude.

The players

Keon Coleman

A wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills who had an underwhelming 2025 season marked by absences, clashes with the coaching staff, and just 404 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.

Brian Thomas Jr.

A wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars who had 13 touchdowns in 2025 and is viewed as a player with untapped upside, potentially making him expendable given the Jaguars' crowded receiver corps.

Josh Allen

The quarterback for the Buffalo Bills whose critical meltdown in the 2025 Divisional Round ended the team's playoff hopes.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills who was relieved of duty, prompting the team's owner to express dissatisfaction with Keon Coleman.

Terry Pegula

The owner of the Buffalo Bills who expressed open dissatisfaction with Keon Coleman's role and attitude.

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What they’re saying

“The Bills, on the other hand, desperately need an 'X' receiver who can separate from man coverage and make plays at all three levels.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

“Thomas would immediately step in as Josh Allen's No. 1 receiver. For a team that's $10 million over the projected cap before making adjustments this offseason, Thomas' contract is a bargain for the next few years.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The offseason presents a critical period for the Bills to stabilize their receiving threat and address lingering questions about chemistry and production from their wideout group. The addition of a proven playmaker like Brian Thomas Jr. could provide that much-needed offensive spark.

The takeaway

The potential Keon Coleman trade symbolizes a clear message from the Bills that significant change is required after a frustrating season of unmet expectations. Losing to a playoff opponent despite a rare opportunity has placed increased pressure on the front office to remake parts of the roster, with the goal of finally breaking the team's decades-long Super Bowl drought.