The Buffalo Bills entered the offseason determined to strengthen a team that came close to making its first Super Bowl appearance since 1993. To secure their future at quarterback, the Bills locked in Josh Allen with a six-year, $330 million contract. However, with the quarterback position set, Buffalo still needed to bolster their offensive playmaking ability to finally overcome the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
The Bills took their first step toward adding more weapons for Allen by signing wide receiver to a three-year, $36 million deal in free agency, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter on X.
He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the 2021 draft, spent his first four seasons with the team. Despite flashing potential—particularly with 72 receptions for 769 yards and three touchdowns in his second year—he struggled to establish himself as a consistent target for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Can Joshua Palmer be the playmaker the Bills have been missing?
After spending the early part of his career behind veteran receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Palmer entered 2024 with an opportunity to become the Chargers’ primary target. However, he ultimately finished as the team’s third-leading receiver, trailing rookie Ladd McConkey and second-year wideout Quentin Johnston. Palmer recorded 38 catches for 584 yards and one touchdown across 15 games last season.
The Buffalo Bills began the offseason in a challenging financial position. While they managed to clear some cap space and move from the red to the black, they still hold the fifth-lowest cap figure in the league.
There was speculation linking Buffalo to Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf after he requested a trade, but Metcalf ultimately landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Palmer now joins a receiving corps that features second-year wideout Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir, who signed a four-year, $60.2 million extension with the Bills in February. Both Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins are set to hit free agency this offseason, with Cooper almost certainly moving on in 2025.
Palmer’s contract with the Bills includes $18 million in guaranteed money. Meanwhile, Allen’s new deal features a record-breaking $250 million guaranteed, surpassing Deshaun Watson’s $230 million as the highest guaranteed sum in NFL history.