NFL writer suggests Bengals take a look at former Pro Bowl receiver in free agency

The Cincinnati Bengals may be losing wide receiver Tyler Boyd to free agency, but they have enough money to replace him with a cheaper option.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder thinks that the Bengals should take a look at DJ Chark, who is still remaining on the open market nearly a month into the free-agent period.

Chark spent the 2023 campaign with the Carolina Panthers and was mildly productive, playing in 15 games and registering 35 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns.

The 27-year-old, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was originally selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

There was a time when it looked like Chark was about to become one of the best receivers in football.

He barely made an impact during his rookie campaign, but the following season, Chark hauled in 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.

Unfortunately, Chark took a significant step back in 2020, catching 53 passes for 706 yards and five scores in 13 games.

Injuries then limited Chark to just four contests in 2021, and he has not been the same since.

The Alexandria, La. native proceeded to sign with the Detroit Lions in 2022, and that ensuing season, he went on to snare 30 balls for 502 yards while reaching the end zone three times in 11 games.

Chark then joined the Panthers last spring.

On the plus side, Chark is still young, and he does have a 1,000-yard campaign in his rearview window. Perhaps playing alongside of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Cincinnati with Joe Burrow throwing him the football would represent an ideal situation for him.