Chargers WR reflects on losing two 'best friends' during offseason

Following his team's busy offseason, wide receiver Joshua Palmer finds himself at the top of the Los Angeles Chargers' projected depth chart.

While the 24-year-old could finally get the chance to be the group's top target in his fourth season, the promotion came at a cost.

Palmer told chargers.com editorial director Eric Smith in an interview published on Thursday that it was hard saying goodbye to his two "best friends" in fellow wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

"It was definitely different for me and I can only speak for myself. 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 said.

The Tennessee product added that he was "a little sad" because the two stars were his "good friends and (he) looked up to Keenan and Mike. From a football standpoint, it's a business."

Though Palmer is now set to be one of the more experienced players in the Chargers' receivers' room, he doesn't know if he'd consider himself a leader yet.

"I don't know, you probably have to ask somebody else. I wouldn't see myself (as a leader). Ask other guys and see what they say," Palmer said with a laugh.

Los Angeles not only traded Allen (a six-time Pro Bowler) to the Chicago Bears in March and saw Williams sign with the New York Jets less than one week later, but the team also moved on from running back Austin Ekeler, who signed with the Washington Commanders. The Chargers brought in former Baltimore Ravens running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins and added tight ends Hayden Hurst and Will Dissly as pass-catching options.

Now under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles also drafted former Georgia wideout Ladd McConkey to potentially start alongside Palmer and 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston. The Chargers also signed 2019 Pro Bowl wide receiver DJ Chark in May.

When Williams suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 3 last season, Palmer took over as the second option behind Allen. He missed six games with a knee injury himself, however, and starting quarterback Justin Herbert was limited to a career-low 13 contests as well.

Palmer has shown impressive field-stretching ability, and with Williams gone he could be Herbert's go-to downfield weapon. He finished just fifth on the team in targets (61) and tied for third in receptions (38) last season but led the squad in yards per catch (15.3) and was second in receiving yards (581).