BREAKING: Chargers’ WR room takes hit after another shocking departure

The LA Chargers missed out on top-tier wide receivers in free agency and now must find a replacement for a departing player. Former third-round pick Joshua Palmer has signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Palmer’s exit was anticipated, as the former Tennessee standout didn’t have the breakout year many had hoped for in 2024. With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, he had a prime opportunity to establish himself as a top weapon, but it was Ladd McConkey who seized the spotlight instead.

Now joining the Bills, Palmer will be catching passes from one of the few quarterbacks in the league who is arguably ahead of Justin Herbert. While he may not develop into a true No. 1 option, Buffalo’s evolving depth chart could enhance his long-term value.

Chargers lose Joshua Palmer in free agency to the Bills

The Chargers needed to add a wide receiver regardless of Palmer’s decision, and his departure only reinforces their need for outside help. With Palmer gone, the team’s only experienced NFL wideouts are Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Derius Davis.

 

Beyond them, the remaining options on the roster are unproven players like Brenden Rice, who has yet to see the field, or special teamers like Simi Fehoko, who shouldn’t be more than a WR5 on the depth chart.

With the top free-agent wide receivers already signed, the best available options for the Chargers are Keenan Allen and Cooper Kupp. Allen would likely be the more affordable choice, given his interest in playing in LA and his limited market elsewhere. A reunion with Allen would also give Justin Herbert two familiar targets, making it a logical move for the team.

One silver lining of Palmer’s deal with Buffalo is the potential compensatory draft pick it brings. As it stands, the Chargers are projected to receive a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, though that could change based on Palmer’s snap count, accolades, and other contract adjustments.

Ultimately, Palmer’s four-year stint with the Chargers ends in disappointment. After being selected in the third round, expectations were high, but he never fully reached the level the team had hoped for. While he wasn’t a bad player, he also didn’t take the leap the Chargers desperately needed. He leaves the team with 182 receptions, 2,287 yards, and 10 touchdowns over four seasons.