Bills Stick With $7.8M Commitment to WR Josh Palmer

Buffalo could've parted ways with the underperforming receiver, but opted to keep him on the roster.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:53pm

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The Buffalo Bills had the opportunity to release wide receiver Josh Palmer and save $7.8 million in salary cap space, but they chose to keep him on the roster despite his disappointing 2025 season. Palmer, 26, is entering the third year of a multi-year contract with the Bills, who are hoping he can bounce back and provide depth at the receiver position.

Why it matters

The Bills' decision to retain Palmer despite his struggles last season reflects their belief that he still has untapped potential. With the addition of star receiver DJ Moore, Palmer may have a reduced role, but the Bills are banking on him being able to contribute when called upon. The move also signals the team's commitment to continuity and developing their own draft picks, rather than constantly churning the roster.

The details

Palmer had $7.8 million of his 2026 salary guaranteed as of Monday, meaning the Bills could have released him before that date and saved that money. However, they opted to keep him on the roster, indicating they still see value in the 26-year-old. In 2025, Palmer appeared in 12 games for the Bills, catching 22 passes for 303 yards and no touchdowns, a far cry from his production with the Chargers where he averaged around 550 yards and 45 catches per season.

  • On March 16, 2026, the Bills had the opportunity to release Josh Palmer and save $7.8 million in salary cap space.

The players

Josh Palmer

A 26-year-old wide receiver who signed a multi-year contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2025 but struggled in his first season with the team, catching just 22 passes for 303 yards and no touchdowns.

DJ Moore

A star wide receiver who the Bills acquired in the offseason to bolster their receiving corps, likely reducing Palmer's role on the team.

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What they’re saying

“The Bills would gladly take a campaign more like that. Palmer won't have as big a role now that DJ Moore is in town, but maybe that helps free him up when he's on the field.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

What’s next

The Bills will hope that Palmer can bounce back and provide valuable depth at the receiver position, especially with the addition of DJ Moore potentially reducing his role.

The takeaway

The Bills' decision to retain Josh Palmer despite his struggles last season reflects their belief in his potential and their commitment to developing their own draft picks, rather than constantly churning the roster. This move signals the team's focus on continuity and building a well-rounded receiving corps to support their high-powered offense.