The Chicago Bears are still exploring their options around Caleb Williams, with former Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark the latest player to visit Halas Hall.
The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher, who has also played for the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions, turns 29 in September.
He was contemplating retirement as recently as last week.
Bears Move on Former Lions, Jaguars WR DJ Chark
DJ Chark Could Choose Bears Over Retirement
“Former #Chargers WR DJ Chark, one of the top veteran free agents available, recently visited the #Bears, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on July 21.
Chark was originally a second-round pick by the Jaguars (No. 61 overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft.
He caught four passes for 31 yards and 1 touchdown with the Chargers in 2024 and was limited to seven games due to a hip injury. However, Chark had one of his more productive seasons under Bears head coach Ben Johnson in 2022.
Then, Johnson was the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. Chark finished the campaign with 502 yards and 3 TDs on 30 receptions.
His career-best was in 2019 with the Jags, when he had a 73-1008-8 line and was a Pro Bowler.
This offseason, Chark spoke with Sports Casting’s Kyle Odegard about possibly retiring, citing wanting to spend more time with his family as a priority. Chark said whether or not he would play this coming season “depends” on that, among football-related factors.
“If I’d been playing in Florida or Detroit for the last few years, then moving would be different, because it’s not something I’ve been doing every year if that was the case,” Chark told Odegard in comments published on July 16. “But every year you go to a new team, you don’t just pop up there. You have to go through the process of packing, relocating, all the things that come with it. You’re starting over new, finding a new place, all the bills, transferring things. It’s quite a bit actually. One time, two times, yeah, but it becomes a thing.
“If I was a bachelor it would be different. If I was a bachelor – just me and my backpack – I’d go anywhere and play some football. But it’s a little bit more complex than that at this point.”
DJ Chark Can Add Size to Smallish Bears WR Room
DJ Moore #2, Olamide Zaccheaus #14, Rome Odunze #15, and John Jackson #82 of the Chicago Bears go through drills. Mandatory credit: Clocker Sports
The Bears have a deep wide receiver room, though it is light on size. The team’s website lists WR1 DJ Moore at 6-feet even. Outside of WR2 Rome Odunze and veteran reserve Miles Bokin, no other Bears receivers stand taller than 6-foot-1. Height is not everything. The Bears will utilize 5-foot-8 Olamide Zaccheaus, albeit likely in a slot role, this season.
Having a bigger target can help when Williams’ accuracy wanes or is otherwise compromised.
He will need to be more on target with his downfield throws this season than he was as a rookie, but there will inevitably be jump-ball situations where Odunze, Boykin, and Chark can thrive.
Chark told Odegard he understands hesitance about signing him, particularly given his injury history, but that he has had interest from teams only for the situation not to align with what he is seeking. That the Bears are bringing him in following those sentiments could be a good sign.
They convinced Case Keenum to put off his retirement for the time being.
