DJ Chark Feels Right at Home in Carolina

DJ Chark agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason in what seems to be a prove-it type season for the sixth-year veteran.

Chark has been bothered with injuries throughout his career and because of it, his numbers have taken quite the dip since his 1,000-yard campaign in 2019. After spending the first four years of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chark landed with the Detroit Lions last offseason and was productive in the ten games he appeared in, reeling in 30 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns. 

Although he enjoyed his time in Detroit, Chark is more than happy to be back in the south.

"I'm from the south, so being back in the south is refreshing. I'm used to the heat and the mosquitos that's all around, it's what I know. And Charlotte is a great city. It's beautiful. A lot of things to do. A lot of things for my kids and my wife to do, so it checks off all the boxes for me." 

One of the biggest factors into Chark signing with the Panthers was the relationship he established with running backs coach Duce Staley during their lone year together in Detroit. 

"Duce is a big reason why I'm here. The conversations that we had in free agency was big for me just knowing the type of person that he is and just how I know he'll have your back. So being able to confide in him helped bring me in and then meeting the rest of these coaches. It's great. Obviously, this is a production-based league, so you have to earn your keep wherever you go."

By coming to Carolina, Chark is entering his fourth straight season with a new position coach. It just so happens that Shawn Jefferson may be the best receiver coach in the league and is someone that he's extremely happy to work with.

"Coach old school, man. I've had a few receiving coaches so far and he's definitely the hard-nosed, grind it out, take your reps, you don't come out. You're tired...so what? And you don't really get that a lot in the league. You usually get the coach that allows you to slack off and he's not that. He's going to force you to compete which I appreciate at this point in my career. Competition always in my life brings the best out of me. Whenever I can just sit there and be comfortable, complacent, I have to figure out how to push myself."