The 2025 NFL season hasn’t even begun, but Joshua Palmer is already at the center of controversy. Fans and analysts have questioned the Buffalo Bills’ decision to hand a multimillion-dollar contract to the San Diego Chargers’ WR3. However, general manager Brandon Beane isn’t having it-firing back at critics with an unwavering defense of Palmer.
This offseason, the Bills’ front office has been relentless in fortifying its defense, both through free agency and the draft. The strategy seems more focused on countering their biggest rival, Patrick Mahomes, than simply outscoring him. However, many were quick to criticize Beane for bypassing top-tier receivers in the draft.
Undeterred, the Bills GM defended Palmer’s three-year, $29 million deal, despite his modest stats with San Diego.
Palmer has the potential the Bills need
Speaking with Tyler Dunne of Go Long, Beane dismissed the backlash surrounding Palmer’s signing, stating, “We’ll find out if I’m wrong, but I’m not paying him $11 million because I think he’s an average player. I think he’s a good player. No one’s talking about that.”
In 2024, Palmer was the Chargers’ third-string receiver behind DJ Chark and Quentin Johnston, posting 584 yards and a touchdown on 39 catches. But with an impressive 15.26 yards per reception, Palmer could be the deep threat that quarterback Josh Allen sorely lacked last season.
“Our job is to score points and win games,” Beane emphasized when asked about his decision to pass on receivers in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. “Where do we need to get better? Defense. We did that,” he asserted, shutting down further debate.
A delicate balancing act
Beane acknowledged the challenge of building a championship-caliber team within the constraints of roster construction. “You can’t have everything. You can’t have Pro Bowl wide receivers, a Pro Bowl offensive line, an All-Pro quarterback, and three great running backs,” the Bills GM explained.
“If there was a guy when we picked in the first round that we thought, ‘Yeah, this guy’s dynamic, he’ll fit in here,’ we would’ve taken him,” Beane added, reinforcing his draft philosophy. Now, all eyes are on the 2025 season to see whether Buffalo’s gamble will pay off.
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