Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 players that won’t probably be back in 2022

Jacksonville Jaguars player that won’t be back No. 5 – DJ Chark

This one could be one of the toughest roster decisions the Jaguars’ front office will have to make next offseason. What will they do with wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. after fracturing his ankle against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4?

Chark has been the most talented receiver in the Jaguars’ roster over the last two years. He’s already shown he can play at a high, logging 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight trips to the end zone in 2019. Moreover, he earned Pro Bowl designation that season. The former LSU Tiger still played at a high level the following season but saw his production take a dip, catching just 53 passes for 706 yards and five touchdowns. This was mainly due to the inconsistency at the quarterback position Jacksonville experienced though, not his effort.

This season, Chark had racked up seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns before his injury. During his absence, Marvin Jones Jr. has become the Jaguars’ number one receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew has also some of the slack. Also, sophomore Laviska Shenault Jr. has made several plays.

Chark got hurt at the worst possible time, the last year of his rookie deal. Instead of increasing his market value, he needs to spend the remainder of the 2021 season recovering. The Jaguars could choose to bring him back but they wouldn’t probably play a premium for him. Instead, it would be something along the lines of a one-year, prove-it deal.

On the other hand, the Jags may be hesitant to bring Chark back. They could replace him in the draft or free agency. It’s too early to tell what they will do but moving on from the receiver is certainly an option.