Before the offseason began, the Buffalo Bills were already considered strong Super Bowl contenders, even after reaching the AFC Championship Game without a true No. 1 wide receiver. Addressing that gap became a key focus this offseason.
The Bills explored several options at wide receiver, including Elijah Moore and Laviska Shenault. However, their most significant addition came from the Los Angeles Chargers—Joshua Palmer, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract early in free agency.
Palmer has made an immediate impact in Buffalo. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady praised the signing, saying, “He’s been a seamless fit for our room. He’s versatile—able to play inside and outside—and was a great addition for us.”
Over four seasons with the Chargers, Palmer tallied 182 receptions for 2,287 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has consistently surpassed 500 receiving yards in each of the past three seasons.
While Palmer may not be a traditional No. 1 receiver, the Bills aren’t necessarily looking for one. Instead, they’re focused on building a well-rounded receiving corps. With young standout Keon Coleman and steady performer Khalil Shakir already on the roster, Palmer helps complete a strong trio—especially with MVP quarterback Josh Allen leading the offense.
In recent seasons, Buffalo has moved away from the idea of needing a dominant All-Pro wide receiver. Whether that strategy, and Palmer’s presence, will be enough to elevate the team to a long-awaited Super Bowl remains to be seen.
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