The Buffalo Bills’ offense starts and ends with quarterback Josh Allen. He’s the reason they’re a part of the Super Bowl conversation, and he’s the reigning NFL MVP. But he can’t do it alone.
The Bills’ most glaring need has been at wide receiver. Most talk around the league centers on Keon Coleman’s potential for a second-year breakout, but there’s a new addition to the Bills’ receiving corps that flew under the radar but could pay dividends in the passing game.
Does Joshua Palmer Finally Give the Bills Their Missing Piece at Wide Receiver?
The Bills signed wide receiver Joshua Palmer to a three-year, $29 million contract in free agency and expect him to make an immediate impact. The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia thinks he’s on his way to fulfilling that role just one week into a training camp.
“If there’s one word to describe Joshua Palmer as a player, it’s ‘smooth,’” Buscaglia writes. “He moves quickly and effortlessly, but never looks in a hurry. He’s a plus route runner and specializes in separation, which has already been a magnet for quarterback Josh Allen early into camp.
“The Bills can use Palmer at both boundary positions, which gives him a high ceiling for 2025,” Buscaglia writes. “All early indications are that Palmer will be a staple on offense and could be a sneaky candidate to lead the receivers in snaps.”
Why Did the Chargers Let Palmer Walk Away?
Palmer was a bit of an afterthought with the Los Angeles Chargers. He had 182 receptions on 282 targets with 2,287 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in four years.
His only year with more than 65 targets was 2022, when he had 107. The Chargers had injuries to Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Jalen Guyton (who missed all of 2022 with an ACL tear), which gave Palmer a chance to shine.
The Chargers allowed the former third-round pick to test free agency, allowing the Bills to snatch him up. Based on the early returns from camp, the Chargers might regret letting him go, considering their depth issues at the receiver position.
Palmer finished 2024 with 39 receptions, 584 receiving yards, and one touchdown. While not spectacular, he did play with Ladd McConkey, who emerged as quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite target in an offense geared to run first and pass second.
Palmer could be a player who just needed seasoning, experience, and a chance to hone his craft before becoming a breakout player.
If that’s the case, the Bills will have scored themselves a cost-effective gem on the outside.