Josh Palmer Bio
Joshua Keith Palmer (born September 22, 1999) is a Canadian professional football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing about 209 pounds, he is listed among the most productive Canadian-born receivers to reach the modern NFL. Palmer played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Before moving to the United States for high school, Palmer developed as a multi-sport athlete in Ontario, playing basketball, running track, and competing in amateur football. After transferring to a powerhouse program in Florida, he emerged as a Division I recruit and worked his way into a dependable target at the college level. Since turning professional in 2021, he has appeared in regular-season games for the Chargers and the Bills, contributing as a receiver on offense.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Keith Palmer was born on September 22, 1999, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, to Keith Palmer and Alethia Palmer. He grew up in Brampton alongside two sisters, Lanisha and Keiana. His upbringing in the Greater Toronto Area exposed him to a wide range of athletic opportunities from a young age, with school sports and community leagues shaping his early development.
Palmer attended St. Roch Catholic Secondary School, where he played basketball, ran track, and played football. He was named St. Roch’s junior athlete of the year in tenth grade, and he played wide receiver and defensive back as the school won two junior varsity football titles in ninth and tenth grade. He also suited up for the Burlington Stampeders of the Ontario Football Conference and the Brampton Bulldogs, gaining competitive experience against older players.
After attending summer football camps in the United States and attracting interest from several Division I programs, Palmer transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for his final two years of high school. Rated a three-star recruit, he initially committed to Syracuse before reopening his recruitment. In his senior season he recorded 32 receptions for 506 yards and eight touchdowns and was named second-team Class 7A All-State.
Path to American Football
Palmer’s transition to high-level American football began with his move to St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the most decorated programs in Florida. Playing against elite high school competition helped him sharpen his route running and physical play on the outside. His performance drew attention from Power Five coaching staffs and positioned him for a college career in the Southeastern Conference.
After de-committing from Syracuse, Palmer signed with the Tennessee Volunteers, joining a program with a strong track record of developing NFL receivers. He spent four seasons in Knoxville, steadily expanding his role within the offense. His progression from a depth receiver as a freshman to a full-time starter by his senior year reflected his work ethic and the coaching he received at Tennessee.
Josh Palmer Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Palmer played in all 12 of the Tennessee Volunteers’ games as a freshman, catching nine passes for 98 yards while learning the offensive system. As a sophomore, he became a starter and finished the season with 23 receptions for 484 yards and two touchdowns, also adding one rushing touchdown. The increased workload helped him adjust to the speed and physicality of SEC defensive backs.
As a junior, Palmer caught 34 passes for 457 yards and one touchdown, serving as a reliable possession target. His senior season was shortened to nine games because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still produced 33 receptions for 475 yards and four touchdowns. By the end of his college career, he had established himself as a polished route runner capable of competing at the next level.
Los Angeles Chargers (2021-2024)
Rookie Season (2021)
Palmer was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft, despite being ranked as the number one Canadian prospect. Although eligible for the 2021 CFL draft, he was not selected there and instead signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chargers on July 23, 2021. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Washington Football Team, recording one catch for 17 yards.
In Week 8, Palmer caught his first career touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Justin Herbert during a 27-24 loss to the New England Patriots. He went on to appear in all 17 games with five starts as a rookie, finishing the 2021 season with 33 receptions for 353 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Sophomore Season (2022)
Palmer took on a larger role in 2022 and delivered several of the Chargers’ most productive offensive performances. In Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, he caught eight passes for 106 receiving yards in a 20-17 victory. Two weeks later against the Kansas City Chiefs, he matched that output with eight receptions for 106 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a 30-27 loss.
He appeared in 16 games with 11 starts in 2022 and finished with 72 receptions for 769 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, establishing himself as a dependable complementary target alongside the Chargers’ top pass catchers.
Third and Fourth Seasons (2023-2024)
Entering the 2023 season third on the depth chart behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Palmer still managed to post impact games. In Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had five receptions for 133 yards in a 31-17 loss. A right knee sprain suffered in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears eventually sent him to injured reserve in November 2023, though he returned in mid-December and caught four passes for 113 yards and a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished 2023 with 38 receptions for 581 yards and two touchdowns in ten games and six starts.
In the 2024 season, Palmer finished with 39 receptions for 584 yards and one touchdown, continuing to serve as a rotational piece in the Chargers’ passing game.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, Palmer signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, opening a new chapter in his professional career. The move paired him with one of the league’s most established quarterbacks and a perennial contender in the AFC East. He was expected to compete for a meaningful role in Buffalo’s wide receiver rotation from the outset of the season.
Palmer injured his knee and ankle during a Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, an issue that forced him to miss several games intermittently throughout the year as he worked through the injuries. Despite the setbacks, he remained part of the Bills’ receiving corps and looked to build momentum once healthy.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a receiver, Palmer is known for his smooth route running, reliable hands, and ability to generate separation against both press coverage and zone shells. His experience working with Justin Herbert in Los Angeles helped him refine his timing on intermediate and deep routes, while his size allows him to compete for contested catches. He has shown a willingness to block in the run game, an attribute valued by coaching staffs that emphasize physicality on the perimeter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Palmer’s first career touchdown, a 24-yard catch from Justin Herbert against the New England Patriots in 2021, marked his arrival as a scoring threat in the NFL. He later posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games in 2022 against the Atlanta Falcons and the Kansas City Chiefs, performances that underscored his big-play potential. His transition to the Buffalo Bills in 2025 represented his first free-agent move and added another milestone to a steadily ascending career.
Josh Palmer Career Highlights
Across his time with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills, Palmer has consistently produced as a complementary pass catcher, posting multiple 100-yard games and reaching double-digit touchdown territory by his fourth season. His role has grown from a rotational rookie to a regular starter, and he has remained healthy enough to contribute in the majority of his professional campaigns.
Los Angeles Chargers Highlights
Palmer’s most productive season with the Chargers came in 2022, when he set personal bests with 72 receptions and 769 receiving yards while adding three touchdowns. He matched his career high with eight catches in single games against both Atlanta and Kansas City that year. Across his four Chargers seasons, he compiled 182 receptions for roughly 2,287 receiving yards and ten receiving touchdowns.
Other Wins and Performances
At Tennessee, Palmer finished his college career with 99 receptions for 1,514 yards and seven receiving touchdowns across 45 games, providing a strong statistical foundation for his NFL transition. His Class 7A All-State selection as a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas also stands out as one of his key pre-professional honors.
Josh Palmer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Palmer was raised in Brampton, Ontario, by his father Keith Palmer and his mother Alethia Palmer, alongside two sisters, Lanisha and Keiana. His family supported his athletic development throughout his childhood, encouraging him to explore multiple sports before focusing on football. The family’s decision to allow him to move to Florida for his final years of high school played a key role in his path to the NFL.
Personal Life
Off the field, Palmer has kept his personal life largely private. He is a Canadian-born athlete who has built his professional career in the United States since being drafted in 2021. He is active on social media, where he shares updates with fans.
2025 Season Performance
Palmer’s 2025 campaign with the Buffalo Bills began with the excitement of a new three-year contract signed in March. Early in the season he worked to establish himself within Buffalo’s offense, leveraging his prior experience as a reliable intermediate target. The Bills expected him to provide veteran stability to a receiver group adjusting to new personnel.
A knee and ankle injury suffered in a Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons disrupted his rhythm and forced him to miss several games on an intermittent basis. Even when limited, Palmer remained engaged in the team’s game planning and continued his rehabilitation to return to the field.
Looking ahead, Palmer’s familiarity with offensive systems and his track record of production give him a clear path to a larger role once he is fully healthy. The Bills’ competitive outlook in the AFC keeps the door open for him to contribute in high-leverage situations as the season progresses.