Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula made a bad situation worse by holding a shocking press conference on Wednesday that saw him raise doubts about his own decision making and throw wide receiver Keon Coleman under the bus.
While speaking to the media on Wednesday, January 21, Terry Pegula, the 74-year-old owner of the Buffalo Bills, confirmed that he fired former head coach Sean McDermott because of the loss to the Broncos in the AFC divisional round. ”
“My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver… We can do better and we will do better,” Pegula said.
NFL world shocked by Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula basically calling WR Keon Coleman a bust during a public press conference
His most viral comments, though, were about former second round draft pick (33rd overall) Keon Coleman, who has proven to be a bust after his first two seasons in the NFL.
“I’ll address the Keon situation. The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon. I’m not saying Brandon wouldn’t have drafted him, but [Coleman] wasn’t his next choice,” Pegula said in an effort to defend his decision to retain GM Brandon Beane.
“That was Brandon being a team player and taking advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player. And you know, he’s taken — for some reason — heat over it, and not saying a word about it. But I’m here to tell you the true story.”
Reading between the lines, Pegula likely zeroed in on Coleman because the lack of a true #1 wide receiver for Josh Allen and the Bills offense since trading away Stefon Diggs has been a major criticism of the team’s current roster construction.
Wow. #Bills owner Terry Pegula says the coaching staff pushed to draft WR Keon Coleman and that was never GM Brandon Beane’s top choice in that situation.
“That was Brandon being a team player. … He’s taken heat over it. I’m here to tell you the true story.”
Wowza. I’ve never… pic.twitter.com/mimTgT9zc9
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 21, 2026
Keon Coleman watching this presser https://t.co/Oj3dytMpyR pic.twitter.com/1QEfxQ2rvv
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 21, 2026
“Feel for Keon Coleman but it’s unfortunately a little funny to be such a bust that an entire organization is arguing about who picked you,” said ESPN writer Kevin Clark.
“The stuff coming out of the Bills organization about the owner / GM and what they are saying about Keon Coleman is garbage. Kid is still on the team!” agreed former NFL QB Matt Leinart.
“Turns out Sean McDermott’s best trait as a Bills coach was protecting everyone from Terry Pegula. A true defensive genius,” was one viral response.
“Bills fans are about to find out why Sabres fans hate Terry Pegula so much,” a second added.
“If I’m Keon Coleman, I’m on the phone with my agent demanding a trade right now. I cannot believe how badly they’re speaking about him right now. They’re basically saying ‘Yeah that guy’s a bust, oopsie.’ No positive words about him? No optimism for his future? Poor guy, man,” was a third refrain.
Not only has Coleman been a disappointment on the field, but his attitude off of it has been concerning, as he was listed as inactive in four games this season due to disciplinary issues. Still, that does not excuse Pegula’s behavior.
Keon Coleman and Sean McDermott part of next wave of #Bills to arrive pic.twitter.com/bZAf2IP2Iy
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) January 17, 2026
“This dude jus don’t take nothing serious,” was one viral response to the above video (albeit with different language for ‘dude’).
In his two seasons with the Bills, Coleman has had 67 catches for 960 yards and has scored 8 touchdowns.