Lions sign receiver DJ Chark to $10 million, 1-year contract
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions signed wide receiver DJ Chark to a $10 million, one-year contract in a short-term investment for a former Pro Bowl player coming off an injury-shortened season.
“Being hurt last year, I’m thankful to get an opportunity,” Chark said Thursday.
A broken ankle limited Chark to four games last season in Jacksonville. He earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2019 after he had 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns with the Jaguars.
Chark said a few other teams wanted to give him a long-term deal, but he chose to sign in Detroit because of the fit with a team that desperately needs a deep threat at receiver.
“If I’m the person that I came here to be, the long term will take care of itself,” he said. “No pressure.”
Jacksonville drafted Chark in the second round four years ago out of LSU and he has 147 career catches for 2,042 yards with 15 touchdowns in 43 games.
Chark said he will be healthy when the Lions need him to play.
“By the time the lights come on, I’ll be where I want to be and who I want to be,” he said.
NFL
Jordan Travis has pondered someday replacing Aaron Rodgers. Health is focus now for Jets rookie QB
Bob Avellini, quarterback who teamed with Walter Payton to lead Bears to 1977 playoffs, dies at 70
New Seattle coach Mike Macdonald takes it all in during first day of Seahawks rookie minicamp
Miami Dolphins agree to sign Odell Beckham Jr. to a 1-year contract, AP source says
Aaron Rodgers not expected to have any restrictions in the Jets' next phase of offseason workouts
Bob Avellini, quarterback who teamed with Walter Payton to lead Bears to 1977 playoffs, dies at 70
New Seattle coach Mike Macdonald takes it all in during first day of Seahawks rookie minicamp
Miami Dolphins agree to sign Odell Beckham Jr. to a 1-year contract, AP source says
Aaron Rodgers not expected to have any restrictions in the Jets' next phase of offseason workouts
Jordan Travis has pondered someday replacing Aaron Rodgers. Health is focus now for Jets rookie QB
New Seattle coach Mike Macdonald takes it all in during first day of Seahawks rookie minicamp
Miami Dolphins agree to sign Odell Beckham Jr. to a 1-year contract, AP source says
Aaron Rodgers not expected to have any restrictions in the Jets' next phase of offseason workouts
Detroit spent some of the money on Chark that it saved by releasing outside linebacker Trey Flowers on Wednesday.
Flowers was one of the many former New England Patriots acquired by former Lions general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia that didn’t pan out. Flowers had two years left on the $90 million, five-year deal he signed with the Lions.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL