CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers’ offensive remake is nearly complete.
Former Lions receiver DJ Chark agreed to terms with the Panthers on Friday, the team announced. Chark, 26, played last season in Detroit and gained 502 yards on 30 receptions. Despite missing six games with a leg injury, the 6-foot-4, 198-pound deep threat scored three touchdowns and averaged 16.7 yards per reception.
Chark, who spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, visited the Panthers last week but left without a deal. On Monday, general manager Scott Fitterer said the team remained in contact with Chark, signaling that both sides were working towards an agreement.
It has been a busy free agency for Carolina. The team has signed tight end Hayden Hurts, receiver Adam Thielen, running back Miles Sanders, and quarterback Andy Dalton. Days before free agency began, Carolina also traded for the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Chark completes a new-look offense for the Panthers. He joins a young wide receiver room of Terrace Marshall Jr., Laviska Shenault, and Shi Smith. Chark is an ideal complement to the current Panthers pass-catchers. He’s a vertical threat who runs a 4.34 40-yard dash. The team has lacked a downfield threat since trading Robbie Anderson last season.
Injuries have plagued Chark. He’s only played in 15 games during the past two seasons. With the Panthers, he’ll have an opportunity to start alongside Thielen and Marshall in three wide receiver formations.
Carolina has spent the past week visiting Ohio State, Alabama, and Kentucky on consecutive days. Signing Chark likely signals the team is finished adding offensive free agents and will instead shift its focus to adding playmakers through the draft.
