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Steve Smith Sr. Absolutely Trashes Young NFL Wide Receiver

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Oct 30, 2025 5:53 PM ET

Former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. had some harsh words for a current NFL wide receiver this week.

On the latest episode of his 89 with Steve Smith Sr. podcast, Smith spoke at length about Buffalo Bills second-year wideout Keon Coleman and repeatedly admonished Coleman over his struggles with the Bills in 2025.

“Well, the short version: nothing,” Smith said. “I haven’t seen anything from him because he hasn’t had the opportunities, because opportunities don’t make themselves available. He just doesn’t get open fast enough. Now, Josh Allen looks his way… When it’s press coverage, Josh looks over there, but Josh gets off of him very fast. And some people, like they do, jump in the comments and say, ‘Well, he was open on this play, but Josh got off of him.’ That means he’s taking too long. That means the quarterback doesn’t have confidence in your ability to get there.”

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 12: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a successful two point conversion against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Highmark Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Elsa/Getty Images

Smith did his best to preemptively dismiss criticism of Coleman over height differences. Ultimately, he feels that Coleman is simply not the No. 1 wide receiver the Bills hoped he would be.

“And you remember, I get accused of people who are taller than 6-feet, ‘Oh, Steve, you’re jealous,'” Smith continued. “My man, out of 12 contested targets, he got four. That is less than 30 cents. The five stick of gum is 35 cents right now…. When you got halitosis, those five sticks of gum can help and improve and higher your percentage of not walking out the club lonely, and he ain’t got a chance.”

“He doesn’t have the ability to be a true No. 1, and he’s not,” Smith said. “He ain’t the guy. Can’t get separation. Can’t get off the jam. Doesn’t have it. You can’t teach a dog how to bark. You either got it or you don’t.”

Steve Smith with some harsh criticism of Bills WR Keon Coleman on his podcast this week:

"He ain't the guy. Can't get separation. Can't get off the jam. Doesn't have it. ... You can't teach a dog how to bark. You either got it or you don't," Smith said.
— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) October 29, 2025

Coleman Responds

Coleman didn't have words for Smith. He simply took to X a few hours later and posted this:

— (@keoncoleman6) October 30, 2025

The Bills have done a fine job of winning games this season both because of and in spite of Coleman. The fact that the Bills are 4-0 in games where he has a mere 25 or more receiving yards this year says a lot more about Buffalo's sheer dominance across the board than it does about Coleman's need to be true No. 1 receiver.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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