Chargers WR Josh Palmer adjusting to life without 'best friends' Keenan Allen, Mike Williams

Josh Palmer‘s 2024 offseason could be succinctly summarized with one meme.

Just replace Will Smith’s character — standing in an empty Bel Air mansion in the final scene of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air — with the Chargers wide receiver. At least, that’s how it seems on the surface after the departures of both Keenan Allen (to Chicago) and Mike Williams (to New York).

“It was definitely different for me and I can only speak for myself,” Palmer said of taking the field this offseason without Allen or Williams joining him, via the team’s official site. “Definitely different when you’re used to having your two best friends out there and now they are not. But they’re nothing but a phone call away and I’m ready to move forward.”

Palmer isn’t isolated, rather, he is just one of the senior, more seasoned members of Los Angeles’ overhauled receiving team. The reality that this statement applies to a 24-year-old reveals all you need to know about the state of the position group going into this season.

Things looked dire at receiver prior to the 2024 draft. Without Allen and Williams, all the Chargers had left was Palmer, underwhelming 2023 rookie Quentin Johnston and the well-traveled 27-year-old D.J. Chark, who has one 1,000-yard season to his name in six seasons spent in Jacksonville, Detroit and Carolina.

They needed more options and reacted accordingly, selecting Georgia standout (and 2024 All-Combine Team selection) Ladd McConkey before spending a Day 3 pick on a legacy: USC’s Brenden Rice, son of the legendary Jerry Rice.

The two selections will not automatically resolve all issues, but they certainly surpass other options. Additionally, Palmer’s experience spanning three more NFL seasons than the newcomers could provide invaluable guidance.

The positive aspect: The Chargers now have the opportunity to smooth out any issues and allow the young players to develop. Under the leadership of Jim Harbaugh, everyone, including the receivers, is still getting to know each other, says Palmer. The urgency to produce immediate results is not as high as it has been in past seasons.

Think of this past month as the orientation for freshmen. The syllabus week commences with the beginning of camp. The first examination is scheduled for Week 1.

By that time, Palmer may miss his old upperclassmen friends.

“He confessed, “I felt somewhat downhearted as Keenan and Mike were not only good friends, but people I admired. However, I understand that from a football perspective, it’s just business.””

It’s time for the new veteran to forge some new friendships.