Failed Chargers free-agent signing resurfaces with NFC South team

The Los Angeles Chargers were looking for a veteran wide receiver to add to their group last season and settled on D.J. Chark. That pairing never materialized as a hip injury cost him most of the 2024 season and he played in only seven games, making four catches for 31 yards with one touchdown.

The hope was that Chark would be able to come in and be the trusted veteran Justin Herbert to get the ball to in critical situations, as he has faced things rookie Ladd McConkey and second-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston hadn’t yet. Instead, it turned out to be a flop of a signing and the Chargers were promptly eliminated from the playoffs largely because Herbert didn’t have anyone to rely on in the passing game past McConkey.

It was just a one-year contract and the Chargers weren’t looking to bring Chark back for an encore. However, he has found a new team, signing with the Atlanta Falcons just as their training camp has gotten underway.

It will be the fifth NFL team for Chark. The former second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars has also played for the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. He has 216 career receptions for 3,100 yards and 24 touchdowns.

MORE:Would Keenan Allen even want to return to the Chargers

The Chargers still don’t have that veteran presence in the wide receiver room. They brought back Mike Williams this offseason, but he retired, leaving the team quite young at the position. Jalen Reagor, a five-year veteran, is the most experienced player on the roster and he’s not even a lock to make the team.

The Chargers will rely heavily on second-year player McConkey and hope that second-round pick Tre Harris makes a quick adjustment to the NFL. However, it seems the team could easily find itself in the same spot it was in last season without adding an experienced veteran to the depth chart at some point.

Failed Chargers free-agent signing resurfaces with NFC South team

Tags: