Panthers DJ Chark ready to produce with Bryce Young: 'I'm going to keep pushing through'
What typically takes months has only taken mere weeks for rookie quarterback Bryce Young and his reliable veteran wide receiver DJ Chark. The two have built a deep-ball connection. And their blazing, fast-paced style of play has become commonplace among Carolina Panthers practices throughout the first week of training camp. But behind the connection, and the […]
What typically takes months has only taken mere weeks for rookie quarterback Bryce Young and his reliable veteran wide receiver DJ Chark.
The two have built a deep-ball connection. And their blazing, fast-paced style of play has become commonplace among Carolina Panthers practices throughout the first week of training camp.
But behind the connection, and the early production for Young and Chark, is Chark's desire to get his career back on track.
In 2019, Chark was a Pro Bowl-caliber wide receiver who crossed the 1,000-yard barrier and collected eight touchdowns in 15 games played.
Since then, Chark has battled an inability to stay on the field.
In 2020, Chark played in 13 games, and in 2021, he played in four. Last season, Chark appeared in 11 games and looked like a shell of the Pro Bowl version of himself in Jacksonville.
Now, with the Panthers, Chark is looking to shift the narrative around his struggles — making right what has gone wrong.
“I don’t feel pressure to prove it to anybody outside of myself. I just feel like it’s time for me to get back on track,” Chark said, via Joseph Person of TheAthletic.com. “I know what I am. I know what my talent is. I’ve dealt with some difficult circumstances. But one thing I know about me, I’m gonna keep pushing through.”
Though he doesn't feel pressure, Chark still wants to be the best version of himself. He knows that he is an elite playmaker when he is healthy. And with the injuries behind him, Chark appears primed to help the Panthers own the wide-open NFC South.
“I’m not slacking off at practice. I’m not slacking off in the game. I’m giving my all and I won those guys (in Detroit) over with work ethic. I’m gonna win my teammates here over with work ethic,” he said. “Also be a great guy, a great teammate. But the work comes first.”
Panthers projected to win NFC South, Bryce Young slotted as the ‘best QB’ in the division’
As if internal expectations weren’t enough.
Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
