The Los Angeles Chargers, heading into 2026, have established a strong, talented receiving corps to complement Mike McDaniel's YAC-centric air attack.
Ladd McConkey should be able to take over WR1 duties out of the slot, and his explosive-play potential could unlock quite a bit for the Chargers offense. Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris will split snaps as the X-receiver, and both have the size and speed to be major downfield threats. Toss in Brenen Thompson and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and there's plenty of reason to be excited for what the Chargers' pass-catchers can provide in 2026.
In hindsight, their loss of receiving talent over the past couple offseasons was ultimately for the best. Josh Palmer, for example, was allowed to walk in free agency last offseason to the Buffalo Bills, and there wouldn't really be a fit for his skill-set in Los Angeles' current receiving corps.
But as Palmer enters his second season with the Bills, he's facing the most important campaign of his career. With a re-shaped receiving room in Buffalo, the former Chargers receiver will need to fight for his opportunities in the offense.
If he falls short, he could soon be hitting the open market again, this time with significantly less prospects than he had after his Chargers departure.
Josh Palmer needs to prove himself as a real playmaker with the Buffalo Bills in 2026
Across his four seasons in Los Angeles, Palmer showed flashes of production. In 2022, the Tennessee product posted 72 receptions for 769 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a solid 10.7 yards-per-reception and seeing the field for 80% of the Chargers' offensive snaps.
As Los Angeles continued to build out their receiving corps, though, Palmer's opportunities were minimized. His snap share decreased significantly in 2023 and 2024. It wasn't a surprise, therefore, when the Chargers let him walk upon the expiration of his rookie contract.
But no one imagined how underwhelming his first season in Buffalo would be. Palmer played in just 12 games as he dealt with an ankle injury, and he saw just 49% of the team's offensive snaps— a career low— even when he was available. He posted just 22 receptions for 303 yards in 2025.
Now, Buffalo has added a new WR1 in DJ Moore in their trade with the Chicago Bears. Their selection of Skyler Bell in fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft will ramp up the pressure on Palmer to secure his spot in the offense. Buffalo will also be hoping for a breakout year from Keon Coleman.
Palmer is still under contract with the Bills through next season. But even now, Buffalo is already projected to have the third-least cap space in the league next offseason. If the Bills were to cut Palmer at the end of 2026, they would save close to $6 million against the cap.
Palmer, therefore, needs to prove himself as a playmaker if he wants to survive the duration of his contract in Buffalo. It makes 2026 a do-or-die campaign as he attempts to carve out a consistent NFL role after his departure from Los Angeles.
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