One of the big question marks for the Buffalo Bills as the preseason winds down is the backend of the wide receiver group, per head coach Sean McDermott this week.  

The front end is locked up with the currently injured Khalil Shakir, new guy Joshua Palmer and second-year man Keon Coleman. The Bills’ second-round pick in 2024 struggled during the back half of last season. This year, he’s in a better place and the team has taken notice.

“Last year, he’s a rookie and probably scared to death of the starting quarterback, of talking. Now, he’s comfortable,” said offensive coordinator Joe Brady. “He feels comfortable telling [quarterback Josh Allen] if it was a bad throw. So he’s on that comfort level. Yes, he’s being more physical and understands his release game and how he needs to play, but to me, the intensity been really fun to watch.”

“I think maturation in terms of being a professional, doing things the right way,” said Allen. “He’s asked to do a lot in this offense. We’re asking him to do more now, too and [Joe Brady] always says the reward for doing is the opportunity to do more.”      

Coleman, Allen and the rest of the starters are not expected to play when the team wraps up the preseason at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Saturday night.

The Bills will have one more practice this week before heading to Tampa.