Jaguars should not use franchise tag on WR DJ Chark

The Jacksonville Jaguars don’t have a good track record of keeping their own players and they need to buck that trend this offseason. Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. is slated to become a free agent and the Jags need to find a way to bring him back. However, using the franchise tag should not be an option.

The window for NFL teams to use the franchise tag opened this past Tuesday and there are two Jaguars players that could get it, left tackle Cam Robinson and Chark. Gil Brandt of NFL Media believes Jacksonville needs to retain Robinson and mentions the franchise tag as an option.

A second-round pick in 2017, the Alabama product is set to become a free agent this offseason and although he didn’t live up to expectations in his first four seasons, he played well in 2021. The Jaguars will have options when it comes to the left tackle position but keeping Robinson may be the safest of them. Giving him a long-term deal would be the most suitable outcome but applying the franchise tag for a second consecutive year shouldn’t be ruled out either.

On the other hand, Chark is coming off a fractured ankle he suffered in Week 4 of the 2021 season. Had he been healthy, he might have had a stronger case to get slapped with the tag, which would pay him $19.127 million in 2022. Simply, the former LSU Tiger doesn’t have the kind of track record that warrants that kind of investment. During his four-year stint in Jacksonville, the wide receiver has only had one 1,000-yard season. Sure, the Jags’ instability at quarterback has hindered his production but committing so much money to Chark and expecting him to perform at an elite level this year is risky.

What should the Jaguars do with DJ Chark in 2022?

The franchise tag isn’t the only recourse to keep DJ Chark this offseason and a one-year, prove-it deal could be a more realistic alternative. He could rehabilitate his stock and sign a bigger contract next offseason. Another option is to give him a long-term deal. Spotrac expects him to sign a four-year deal worth $47 million ($11.9 million average per year) and while that seems a bit high, the front office could structure it in a way that they can move on from him if his production isn’t proportional to his salary.

Chark hauled in seven receptions for 154 yards with two touchdowns in four games last season. Moreover, he averaged 22.0 yards per reception and the Jaguars’ offense took a hit once he was out of the lineup. Also, he’s shown he can be productive when there’s some stability at quarterback. Back in 2019, he hauled in 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and made the Pro Bowl with Gardner Minshew at the helm. Trevor Lawrence should be even better in Year 2, so it’s not silly to think Chark could have another 1,000-year campaign.

The Jaguars need to get Lawrence as many weapons as possible this offseason. Thus, it wouldn’t make sense to move on from one of the few ones on the roster. Their offense is better with Chark in it than without him and they should be able to reach an agreement without having to use the franchise tag.