JUST IN: Surprising Rams contract is fantastic news for Chargers free agent. LA Chargers who are entering free agency this offseason. Lost in the shuffle a bit is wide receiver, who represents a tier-three wide receiver option for teams during an offseason where many wideout options are available.

Several high-profile LA Chargers players are set to hit free agency this offseason, but one name that has flown somewhat under the radar is wide receiver Joshua Palmer. While not a top-tier option, Palmer falls into the third tier of available wideouts in what is a deep free-agent market for receivers.

Many expected Palmer to have a breakout 2024 season following the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but that didn’t pan out. He posted his lowest yards-per-game average since his rookie year, managing just 38.9 yards per game over 15 contests.

Despite his underwhelming production, Palmer has shown flashes of potential, and a team could take a chance on him with a short-term deal for wide receiver depth. His free-agent value may have already gotten a boost, thanks to fellow Los Angeles receiver Tutu Atwell.

Atwell recently signed a fully guaranteed one-year, $10 million contract with the Rams, which bodes well for Palmer’s market. This deal sets a favorable precedent for Palmer to negotiate a one-year contract with a higher payday in 2025, allowing him to re-enter free agency next offseason.

While Atwell had a career-best season in 2024, his 33.1 yards per game still fell short of Palmer’s lowest mark. If Atwell commanded that much money before free agency even began, Palmer’s representatives will likely use his deal as a benchmark in negotiations.

Pro Football Focus projects Palmer to sign a two-year, $13 million contract, but Atwell’s deal suggests he might fetch more than initially expected.

This only increases the likelihood of Palmer leaving the Chargers in free agency. Fans have long anticipated his departure, and a rising price tag makes it even more probable. The Chargers are expected to prioritize bigger-name receivers rather than re-signing Palmer.

From a team perspective, Palmer securing a lucrative deal elsewhere could benefit the Chargers in the long run by improving their compensatory draft pick for 2026, depending on their own free-agent signings.

If Palmer departs, he will conclude his four-year Chargers tenure with 182 receptions, 2,287 yards, and 10 touchdowns—solid numbers but not quite what fans envisioned when he was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.