Report: D.J. Chark Agrees to 1-Year Lions Contract Worth Up to $12M in Free Agency

D.J. Chark will play for the Detroit Lions next season.

The 25-year-old agreed to a one-year contract with the Lions on Tuesday. He will be able to make as much as $12 million.

His fate in Jacksonville was sealed after the Jags committed up to $84 million to Christian Kirk.

Chark was the 61st pick in the draft. He averaged 21.9 yards per reception as a senior at LSU.

The LSU product was 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 He led the Jags in targets (118), reception (73), receiving yards (1,008) and receiving touchdown (eight) in 15 games.

The quarterback issues in 2020 led to a regression in Chark's performance. He was tied for the team lead in touchdown with five.

Chark finished tied for fourth in lowest catchable target rate among all players in 2020 with a minimum of 50 targets.

#AskFFT @daverichard

Lowest catchable target rates from 2020, minimum 80 targets per @PFF: AJ Green 49.5%Jerry Jeudy 58.2%Darius Slayton 59.6%Mike Williams 63%DJ Chark 63%Chase Claypool 64.1%DJ Moore 64.6%TY Hilton 65.9%Darnell Mooney 67%

Michael Gallup 67.4%

The Pro Bowler only played four games in 2021. He had 154 yards and two touchdown on just seven catches.

Being able to get a fresh start with a new organization is probably in Chark's best interest, given all of the issues Jacksonville has had throughout his career. He has a knack for making big plays even when he is not the quarterback.

As long as he can return to his pre-injury form, the Lions will look to take advantage of his speed and frame to make tough, contested catches down the field.

After Kenny Golladay left in free agency, Amon-Ra St. Brown filled in nicely and led the team in reception and receiving yards. The wide receiver position was still a priority for Detroit.

Banking on Chark is a bit of a risk, but one the Lions can afford to take as they continue their rebuild.

A one-year deal for Chark allows him to potentially make a lot of money next spring.