The Detroit Lions finally put an end to their 2025 organized team activities (OTAs) on Thursday. The Lions revealed earlier this offseason that they won’t be holding a mandatory minicamp due to their Pro Football Hall of Fame Game participation, meaning Detroit’s roster has several weeks to rest before training camp begins in July.
OTAs gave head coach Dan Campbell’s staff a better idea of what his 53-man roster could look like, but that doesn’t mean more names won’t be added to the mix. There’s plenty of time to add a veteran or two between now and training camp, opening the door for the Lions to reunite with one of their former playmakers.
Former Lions WR DJ Chark is a Reunion Candidate After OTAs
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Lions added another wide receiver in the coming weeks. No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown is expected to miss time before training camp as he recovers from offseason knee surgery, so having another pass-catcher in the mix could help make things easier until he returns.
That’s why the Lions might be open to a reunion with veteran playmaker DJ Chark.
Chark, 28, is an experienced name with 76 games played across seven seasons since being drafted 61st overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018. The former LSU WR has since made appearances with the Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers, as well as 11 games played with the Lions during the 2022 campaign.
Although his Motor City stint happened after his prime, Chark still managed to record 30 catches for 502 receiving yards and three touchdowns while also making 10 starts. He showed a fair amount of chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff and was respected by Campbell’s staff, which is the type of history that could work in his favor as he continues to navigate free agency.
Whether it’s with the Lions or another team, Chark will be looking to bounce back from a forgettable 2025 performance. A hip injury limited him to seven appearances without a start with the Chargers, leading to his tallying four catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Even if his best playing days are long gone, Chark could still be decent in a WR6 role with the Lions. St. Brown (when healthy), Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, and Isaac TeSlaa are more than capable of handling the majority of receiving work, which would allow Chark to fill in when any of those names need a breather or two.
Even if he doesn’t make the final roster, Chark’s presence could be enough to light a fire under an underperforming receiver whom the Lions coaches want to see more from during training camp.
At the end of the day, Chark is an experienced receiver who could make Detroit’s WR room better, even if only by a little bit. That makes a reunion worth exploring as the NFL offseason continues.
