The Detroit Lions are building something players want to be part of, and DJ Chark is just the latest who wants to re-sign.
After he signed his one-year deal with the Lions last offseason, wide receiver DJ Chark said he turned down a couple multi-year offers and instead chose Detroit based on a culture he saw being built from afar.
It’s safe to say this season didn’t go as Chark wanted, or as the Lions hoped it would go for him. There were some early struggles to connect with Jared Goff consistently, then some trouble with his surgically-repaired ankle ultimately cost him six games.
But late in the season, healthy and better ingrained in the Lions’ offense, Chark made some notable impact. He topped 90 yards in three of four games from Week 13-16. Then in Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers, he made two crucial fourth quarter catches–one to help the Lions extend the drive for the winning score, and the last to seal a season-ending primetime win.
DJ Chark makes it clear he wants to re-sign with the Lions
Chark is now headed for free agency in March. He may, and should, see what the open market has for him. But a return to the Lions is definitely prominent on his mind.
Via Justin Rogers of The Detroit News:
"I have a good relationship, not only with the players, but the coaches,” Chark said. “Obviously, it’s a business, you’ve got to work out the numbers and all of that, but this place checks off all the boxes. I have a good relationship with the coaching staff…I’m a big believer and I’m going to let my faith go before me and I feel I’ll end up in the right place,” he continued. “I think this is a great place for me. If it works out, I definitely wouldn’t mind sitting here talking to you from this same locker. We just have to see how it goes, but I’m pleased with everything, even the bumps in the road I had this (season), I’m pleased with how things went.”"
Running back Jamaal Williams and defensive lineman John Cominsky have already made it clear they want to re-sign with the Lions. Add Chark to the list, but based on his sentiment from last March it’s not surprising to hear it from him.