Bills' Brandin Cooks discusses 'misunderstood' Keon Coleman after controversial Terry Pegula comments

Of the many things that Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula said during a Wednesday news conference that generated headlines, perhaps the most controversial comments involved wide receiver and possible bust Keon Coleman. 

Specifically, Pegula mentioned that recently fired head coach Sean McDermott and McDermott's staff, instead of general manager/president of football operations Brandon Beane, were responsible for Buffalo making Coleman the No. 33 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. During a Thursday appearance on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" program, fellow Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks addressed the Coleman situation. 

Keon Coleman should have a chip on his shoulder after Terry Pegula's comments

"When you hear something like that, you're like, 'Well, am I wanted?' That's the truth, as a player," Cooks said about Pegula's comments, per Eric Edholm of the NFL's website. "Because typically you don't hear those things, but when you hear it, you're like, 'Well, am I wanted? And if not, what do I do?' But if it's like, 'We still want you, but we gotta figure this thing out,' that's when you put that chip on your shoulder, and you go to work and prove yourself right. I've always been a big believer in not proving people wrong but proving yourself right on what you can do."

Opinions about Pegula's handling of a question related to Coleman aside, it's not a stretch to say that the 22-year-old has largely been a disappointment as a pro. As Teddy Ricketson noted for The Sporting News, Coleman was disciplined/benched on multiple occasions across his first two NFL seasons. Over 26 regular-season games, Coleman recorded 67 receptions on 116 targets for 960 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Brandin Cooks wants to help Keon Coleman reach advertised potential

Cooks only joined the Bills this past November, but it seems he's willing to mentor Coleman following what could become yet another setback.  

"I'm definitely in touch with Keon," Cooks continued. "When I got to Buffalo, that was a guy I was going to gravitate towards to help out. I think Keon can play this game at a high level, I really do. He's going to continue to grow. I think he's also misunderstood. He's a young kid, right? He's still trying to figure it out. For me, I'll take that and say, 'How can I help this kid grow and be the guy they want him to be?' Because obviously, there's talent there. The guy can make plays. I think he'll continue to grow, and I think he has been."

One can't help but believe that McDermott's dismissal and Pegula's words will ultimately represent the end of Coleman's time with the Bills. Cooks suggested the new Buffalo head coach shouldn't give up on Coleman just yet. 

"I think all it takes sometimes is [someone saying], 'Hey, let me take you under my wing and kind of show you the way,'" Cooks added about Coleman during the segment.