There are several big-name LA Chargers who are entering free agency this offseason. Lost in the shuffle a bit is wide receiver Joshua Palmer, who represents a tier-three wide receiver option for teams during an offseason where many wideout options are available.
Many expected Palmer to have a breakout season in 2024 with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer on the team but that is not what happened. Palmer finished with the worst yards-per-game since his rookie season, averaging just 38.9 yards in each of his 15 games.
Still, the flashes are there with Palmer and there may be a team in free agency that pays more on a one-year deal to add him as wide receiver depth. The market is already taking a positive turn for Palmer before free agency even begins, all thanks to a fellow Los Angeles wideout, Tutu Atwell.
Rams, WR Tutu Atwell agree on a 1-year, $10M fully guaranteed contract. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/ugj404O1V6
— NFL (@NFL) March 6, 2025
Tutu Atwell's Rams contract is great news for Chargers' Joshua Palmer
Atwell signing a fully guaranteed $10 million contract for the 2025 season is great news for Palmer. The door is wide open for Palmer to sign a one-year contract for a bigger pay day in 2025 that allows him to test free agency again next offseason.
Nothing against Atwell, but if he is able to command that kind of money from his team before free agency begins then Palmer should be able to run up the price. Atwell had the best season of his career in 2025, averaging 33.1 yards per game; still lower than Palmer's low mark.
Palmer's agents will point directly to this Atwell contract as a starting point for interested teams this offseason. Whether it be a fully guaranteed contract for one year, or a multi-year deal, Palmer is in a good position to sign for more than expected this offseason.
Pro Football Focus projects Palmer to sign a two-year contract for $13 million this offseason. After Atwell's deal, that may be on the low end of the spectrum.
This only increases the odds of Palmer leaving the Chargers in free agency. Fans have expected Palmer to leave this offseason for quite some time now and a larger price tag feeds into those expectations. Los Angeles will (hopefully) spend on the big-name wideout options, not on re-signing Palmer.
At the very least, this is good for the Chargers in the long run. The more Palmer signs for the better the compensatory pick in 2026. This may end up getting offset by the Chargers depending who they sign, but it is one added benefit of Palmer leaving on a bigger deal.
If Palmer leaves he will finish his Chargers career with 182 receptions for 2,287 yards and 10 touchdowns in four seasons. Not awful, but not what fans were expecting when he was taken in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.