The Buffalo Bills have made a significant addition to their wide receivers room, signing former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer to a three-year, $36 million contract, with $18 million guaranteed per multiple insiders.
Palmer, who is just 25 years old, brings a set of skills that are valued highly by One Bills Drive, but which have been hard to find — specifically, the type of route running and ability to create separation against defensive backs he’s demonstrated against NFL defenders.
Last season with the Chargers, Palmer played in approximately 58% of the offensive snaps, showcasing his reliability as a consistent presence in the Chargers’ offense. Last year, Palmer played 15 games for Los Angeles and caught 39 passes for 584 yards and one touchdown. His best season was in 2022 when he finished with 769 yards on 72 catches with three touchdowns.
Palmer was a third-round pick for the Chargers in 2021, taken 16 spots after Buffalo selected defensive end Boogie Basham and 16 spots before right tackle Spencer Brown.
Originally from Canada, Palmer grew up in Brampton, Ontario, before moving to Florida for his final two years of high school. Brampton is a two-hour drive from Highmark Stadium.
Further contract details should be announced later this week, which we’ll cover in full when available. The new NFL league year begins Wednesday, March 12 at 4 p.m. EDT.
The signing brings into question how Buffalo will construct the wide receiver position in 2025. Amari Cooper is an unrestricted free agent (UFA), and someone who general manager Brandon Beane made a mid-season trade for last season, giving up the Bills’ third-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft as part of the deal. Mack Hollins is also a UFA, and someone who quickly developed key chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen, most notably in leading the team with five touchdown receptions.
With Palmer playing a similar role to that of Cooper, it’s anyone’s guess as to how Beane and the front office will prioritize the receiver position this offseason.
