After seven seasons in the NFL, wide receiver DJ Chark considered retirement during the offseason. The 28-year-old cited a series of injuries—three stints on injured reserve over the past four years—and family considerations as reasons for contemplating ending his career.
Chark ultimately decided to continue playing and signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons last Saturday. He credited faith in his decision-making process, stating, “I prayed on it. I think God wanted me here.”
The Falcons’ interest in Chark was influenced by quarterback Easton Stick, who played alongside Chark with the Los Angeles Chargers last season. After joining Atlanta in late April, Stick recommended Chark to the team’s front office following joint training sessions.
“Running routes is just therapy for me,” Chark said. “He needed work, so I would just go with him and run the routes that he was working on here.”
Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith explained the team’s evaluation: “We remember him from college, and you track him through his career and his skillset. He’s always had straight-line speed and he’s a bigger guy and he can stretch the field a little bit. So, he’s an experienced guy, veteran guy that’ll come in the mix and compete for a spot.”
Since signing with Atlanta, Chark has participated in position drills during two open practices but has not yet taken part in full-team 11-on-11 activities as he acclimates to his new environment.
To help integrate into the team’s system more quickly, Chark has been consulting with teammates such as wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. The two have been seen discussing plays during practice periods.
“He always had a script, so just getting the plays from him,” Chark said. “I go home; I write them down. A lot of them are sticking. Sometimes, I can just look at the play and, as long as I know who’s the X and Z, I can kind of figure out the formation and what play is being ran.”
Chark entered the league as a second-round draft pick by Jacksonville in 2018 and earned Pro Bowl honors after recording 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns in his second season. After leaving Jacksonville following his rookie contract’s expiration in 2022, he spent single seasons with Detroit, Carolina, and Los Angeles.
Injuries have limited his recent production; last year with Los Angeles he recorded only four catches for 31 yards due to a hip injury that shortened his season.
“We know the type of player he is,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. “He’s had some unfortunate injuries in his career, but he showed up in really good shape. He’s a really smart guy. He’s already picking things up really well.”
Chark expects to participate fully later this week when Atlanta holds its fourth open practice on Tuesday. With established starters like Mooney, Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud III already on roster but depth concerns present due to injuries among reserves—including KhaDarel Hodge stepping up recently—Chark could secure a spot if healthy through training camp.
“It’s always good for younger guys to be around guys that have a few stripes,” Falcons wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard said. “There are always interesting conversations (to be had) about situational football – playing in different places, playing with different quarterbacks, playing against different DBs. We expect DJ to bring that perspective here and help our boys grow and help them with the journey.”
Reflecting on joining Atlanta rather than retiring or pursuing other options elsewhere or outside football entirely—Chark emphasized feeling welcomed: “Once I got here, everybody from the staff to all the coaches made me feel welcomed and wanted,” he said. “So, I felt like it was the right decision.”
