It’s always good when a quarterback and his number one receiver have a good relationship, which is the case in Jacksonville with Gardner Minshew and D.J. Chark. In 2019, Chark had a breakout season. The third-year wide receiver had 73 receptions for 1008 yards and eight touchdowns, all career-highs.
According to Chark, who made the Pro Bowl last season, he and Minshew are close on and off the field.
“Definitely. Minshew, that’s my dog on and off the field,” Chark recently said. “Last year, I didn’t expect him to be the quarterback Week 1. I played in the preseason with him. I am one of the only receivers that was actually out there in the preseason with him when he was battling those demons against the Ravens. But, I love Gardner [Minshew], like I said, that’s my dog. Any time I have a suggestion, he is willing to listen, he has a suggestion then I am willing to listen. He worked with me on my strengths and weaknesses, same. Very confident guy, and just a good guy to be around.”
Jacksonville has a new offensive coordinator in former Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. At this point, Chark loves Gruden’s offense, and he expects the team to do well on the offensive side of the ball in 2020.
“I think it is going to be a pretty good season for us offensively,” Chark said. “This offseason we have all been getting together, learning this offense together in this unprecedented time. It’s showing on the field; the chemistry is showing on the field. This is the most connected I have felt to the offense, and to the players on the offense, in a long time. So, with the addition of Coach [Jay] Gruden being a head coach, knowing how to get his guys ready, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of his players, we are in good shape.”
The offense can be better in 2020. Last season, Jacksonville was 20th in total offense and 26th in points per game, so that has to improve. Jacksonville has a very good running back in Leonard Fournette. The wideouts are not bad with Chark, Chris Conley, Dede Westbrook, and they added rookies’ Laviska Shenault and Collin Johnson, but it’s all about how well Minshew grasps Gruden’s offense and how much he improves this season. If Minshew gets better, the offense probably gets better, which means the team will probably be better in 2020.
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