Josh Palmer Bio
Joshua Keith Palmer, known professionally as Josh Palmer, is a Canadian professional football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and weighing around 210 lb (95 kg), Palmer has built his reputation as a reliable, physical pass catcher with a strong work ethic.
Born in Brampton, Ontario, Palmer initially showcased his athleticism across basketball, track, and football before focusing on the gridiron. His journey from Ontario youth leagues to one of the most competitive professional football leagues in the world reflects years of steady development. By 2025, he had already accumulated 204 career receptions for 2,590 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns across his first four NFL seasons.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Keith Palmer was born on September 22, 1999, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, to Keith and Alethia Palmer. He grew up alongside two sisters, Lanisha and Keiana, in a household that encouraged multi-sport participation. Palmer attended St. Roch Catholic Secondary School in Brampton, where he played basketball and ran track in addition to football, eventually earning the school’s junior athlete of the year award in tenth grade.
At St. Roch, Palmer lined up at wide receiver and defensive back, helping the team capture two junior varsity football titles during his ninth and tenth grade seasons. He also gained valuable experience playing for the Burlington Stampeders of the Ontario Football Conference and the Brampton Bulldogs. These early competitive environments helped him develop the speed, route-running, and toughness that would later define his professional career.
After participating in summer football camps in the United States and attracting interest from several Division I football programs, Palmer transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for his final two years of high school. Rated as a three-star recruit, he initially committed to Syracuse before de-committing and signing with the University of Tennessee. He finished his senior season with 32 receptions for 506 yards and eight touchdowns, earning second-team Class 7A All-State honors.
Path to American Football
Palmer’s path to the NFL was built step by step through Canadian youth football, American high school competition, and a productive college career at Tennessee. His experience with the Burlington Stampeders and Brampton Bulldogs gave him a foundation in organized tackle football, while his move to St. Thomas Aquinas exposed him to a higher level of competition in the United States. The transition across borders sharpened his game and prepared him for the rigors of Southeastern Conference football.
At Tennessee, Palmer appeared in all 12 games as a freshman in 2017, recording nine receptions for 98 yards while learning the Volunteers’ offensive system. He became a starter as a sophomore and posted 23 receptions for 484 yards and two receiving touchdowns, adding one rushing score. As a junior, he caught 34 passes for 457 yards and one touchdown, and in his shortened senior campaign of nine games, he produced 33 receptions for 475 yards and four touchdowns, finishing his college career on a strong note.
Josh Palmer Career
Early Career (2021)
Palmer was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. Although he was the top-ranked Canadian prospect and eligible for the 2021 CFL draft, he went unselected there and chose to pursue his NFL opportunity. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chargers on July 23, 2021, and quickly began earning the trust of the coaching staff during training camp.
In his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Washington Football Team, Palmer recorded one catch for 17 yards. By Week 8, he had broken through with his first career touchdown, a 24-yard reception from quarterback Justin Herbert, in a narrow 27–24 loss to the New England Patriots. Palmer appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, starting five, and finished the 2021 season with 33 receptions for 353 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Palmer’s second NFL season in 2022 marked a clear step forward in his development as a featured pass catcher. In Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded eight receptions for 106 receiving yards in a 20–17 victory, and two weeks later he matched that production with eight receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs in a 30–27 loss. He appeared in 16 games with 11 starts, finishing 2022 with 72 receptions for 769 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
The 2023 campaign brought both opportunity and adversity. Palmer opened the season third on the depth chart behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but he still delivered big performances, including five receptions for 133 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5. A right knee sprain suffered against the Chicago Bears in Week 8 eventually landed him on injured reserve in November, but he returned in mid-December and immediately made an impact with four receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished the year with 38 receptions for 581 yards and two touchdowns in ten games.
In his final Chargers season of 2024, Palmer served as a steady contributor and finished with 39 receptions for 584 yards and one touchdown. Across four seasons in Los Angeles, he grew from a third-round rookie into a dependable target, building a strong on-field rapport with Herbert along the way.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Palmer signed a three-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, opening a new chapter in his career. The move gave him an opportunity to contribute in a different offensive system and to play in a high-profile AFC conference rivalry setting. Early in the 2025 season, he worked to establish his role within the Bills’ receiver rotation.
Palmer’s first year in Buffalo was disrupted by injuries. He suffered a knee and ankle injury during a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6, which caused him to miss several games intermittently as he worked through recovery. He finished the 2025 season with 22 catches for 303 yards and no touchdowns, and on January 10, 2026, he was placed on injured reserve ahead of the team’s Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Driving Style and Strengths
Palmer is known for his physicality at the catch point, smooth route running, and reliability as a possession receiver. He tracks the deep ball well and has shown the ability to win contested catches against tight coverage. His experience lining up both outside and in the slot gives offensive coordinators flexibility, and he has built productive chemistry with quarterbacks through consistent practice habits and detailed film study.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Palmer’s career, his first NFL touchdown against the New England Patriots in 2021 stands out as a defining early moment. His 133-yard performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 and his productive 2022 season with three receiving touchdowns cemented his reputation as a trustworthy target. Reaching 200 career receptions by the end of the 2025 season marks another milestone in a steadily ascending career.
Josh Palmer Career Stats
Through the 2025 NFL season, Joshua Keith Palmer has compiled 204 career receptions for 2,590 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns across his time with the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills. His production has grown in phases, from a rotational rookie role to a starting-caliber contributor.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Palmer’s most productive season statistically came in 2022, when he recorded 72 receptions for 769 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His rookie year produced 33 receptions for 353 yards and four touchdowns, while his 2023 campaign featured 38 receptions for 581 yards and two scores in only ten games. In 2024, he added 39 receptions for 584 yards and one touchdown, and his 2025 season with Buffalo closed with 22 catches for 303 yards.
Other Performances
Before the NFL, Palmer posted strong numbers at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and across four seasons at Tennessee. His 475 receiving yards as a senior for the Volunteers, despite a COVID-19-shortened schedule, helped solidify his draft stock heading into 2021.
| Team | Years | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2021–2024 | 182 | 2,287 | 10 |
| Buffalo Bills | 2025 | 22 | 303 | 0 |
Josh Palmer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Palmer comes from a close-knit family in Brampton, Ontario. He is the son of Keith Palmer and Alethia Palmer, and he has two sisters, Lanisha and Keiana. His parents supported his athletic pursuits from a young age, encouraging his involvement in basketball, track, and football as he developed into a multi-sport athlete in his hometown.
Personal Life
Off the field, Palmer has remained connected to his Canadian roots while building his NFL career in the United States. His transition from Brampton to Florida for high school and then to Tennessee for college marked a major personal journey. He continues to represent Canadian talent at the highest level of professional football, carrying the support of his family and hometown with him throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
Palmer’s 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills was defined by transition and resilience. After signing a three-year deal in March, he worked to carve out a role in Buffalo’s offense before a knee and ankle injury suffered in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons interrupted his rhythm. He battled through the injuries, missing several games on an intermittent basis as he attempted to return to full strength.
He closed the regular season with 22 receptions for 303 receiving yards and no touchdowns, a statistical dip compared to his Chargers years, largely because of the missed time. On January 10, 2026, the Bills placed him on injured reserve ahead of their Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, closing the chapter on his first season in Buffalo.
Looking ahead, Palmer’s three-year contract runs through the 2027 season, and the Bills will look for him to return healthy and re-establish himself as a reliable contributor. His track record of production, combined with his physical style of play, leaves room for a strong bounce-back once he is back to full strength.
