The Detroit Lions didn’t spend a lot in 2022 to lure outside free agents to the team. One of the few big splashes in free agency a year ago, wide receiver DJ Chark, is once again a free agent.
In an interview with Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother, Equanimeous, Chark talked about the process of being a free agent for the first time last season. The discussion on The 33rd Team’s podcast talked about why Chark chose Detroit and also why he might make the same choice as a free agent in 2023.
“I was expecting the people in them articles (media speculation) that this team was going to call, that team was going to call. That’s what I was expecting. But the teams I was linked to never really called.”
The Lions put on an impressive pitch for Chark,
“Detroit being one that I felt was the most serious about bringing me in. I had another team that had a pretty good offer, honestly. But it didn’t really feel like the right fit. Then I looked at the Lions and I saw JG (QB Jared Goff) who I thought was pretty solid.”
Chark went on to praise the coaches, teammates and the front office in Detroit for making him welcome.
As for 2023 and where he might sign as a free agent?
“I’m trying to not even worry about how it’s going to happen. I feel like I’m going to be where I’m supposed to be. If that’s Detroit that would be great, because I’ve got some real good friendships and I like it there.”
Chark left the door open to leave, however.
“It’s a business, you never know,” Chark said with a shrug. “So we’ll see how that goes.”
