There was a prevailing theme between the two Detroit Lions wide receivers who spoke to the media on Wednesday. It was a word not spoken much in reference to the Lions passing attack in 2021.
Excitement.
Yet both Amon-Ra St. Brown and DJ Chark showed genuine excitement at the prospects of what the Detroit aerial attack can do in 2022. Chark joined from the Jaguars, while the team added Alabama speedster Jameson Williams with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Steady vet Josh Reynolds returns after a promising finish to last season, too. With Pro Bowl TE T.J. Hockenson back and healthy, it’s easy to see why the optimism is flowing.
Chark, a Pro Bowler himself in 2019 when he caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and eight TDs from the combination of Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles in Jacksonville, is ready for the challenge of sharing the ball with such a talented receiving room.
“A lot of times in the offenses I would be used to be the guy to open up the field for others and things,” Chark said. “But it’ll be cool to be able to open up the field for others and they do the same. We just got so many different pieces, like you already mentioned the O-line and great running backs. I’m excited. I think sky’s the limit.”
His thoughts were echoed by St. Brown. The second-year wideout is coming off a furious finish to the 2021 season, where he was one of the top receivers, rookie or otherwise, in the final month.
“We really have a pretty good offense,” St. Brown told reporters. “We have a solid O-line. We have great tight ends that can catch the ball, that can block. Our running backs are all very solid. They can all do different things. Adding some receivers, I think we’re a complete offense now if you ask me, so I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Considering a year ago the Lions top receiving options were Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman, it’s indeed easy to see why the Lions are excited.
