Bills Central

NFL MVP voter's take on $36 million dollar free agent addition for Bills' Josh Allen

The Buffalo Bills revamped their wide receiving corp in free agency, including a signing that one All-Pro/MVP voter thinks could be a game changer.

Brian Letscher

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Entering the off-season, there seemed to be a consensus that the Buffalo Bills needed help in their wide receiver room.

The contract extension of breakout slot receiver Khalil Shakir locked up a proven piece and was followed up with signing ex-Los Angeles Charger Joshua Palmer to a three year deal worth a reported $36 million — a move applauded by many, including NFL pundit and All-Pro/MVP voter, Doug Farrar.

"I think the Josh Palmer deal could be really sneaky-good for the Buffalo Bills," said Farrar on X while sharing video evidence of Palmer's ability to "work through zones as a deep target."

Palmer, 25, is entering his fifth year in the league, and while he has good speed with a 4.51 40 yard dash time, it's his ability to separate from coverage, zone or man, that makes him a valuable asset. He ranks No. 5 in win-rate against man coverage and No. 10 against zone. This is in stark contrast to Buffalo's other outside receivers from last season, Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman. Cooper was the next best on the team, way down the list at No. 61.

Palmers' experience at a young age and his success against the rival Kansas City Chiefs makes him an intriguing addition to the Bills offensive huddle, possibly giving Josh Allen the downfield playmaking weapon to help push Buffalo into the Super Bowl.

Joshua Palmer
Sep 15, 2022; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) catches a touchdown pass against Kansas City Chiefs. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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Brian Letscher
BRIAN LETSCHER

A Michigan native, Brian graduated from the University of Michigan in another century, where he earned a degree in economics and a Rose Bowl Championship ring while playing football for the Wolverines under Head Coach Gary Moeller. Brian went on to coach Division 1A football for several years before becoming a full-time writer and actor while maintaining an unhealthy interest in sports. He is currently developing a scripted television series, THOSE WHO STAY, based on a series of historical fiction articles he wrote about Bo Schembechler's Michigan football program as they struggle to unite and win the championship - which requires beating #1 Ohio State - during the tumultuous civil rights and anti-war movements of 1969.

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