The San Diego Chargers have agreed to a five-year contract with free agent offensive lineman Orlando Franklin, the team announced on Tuesday.
According to an ESPN source, the contract is worth close $36.5 million, $2o million in guarantees.
In four seasons with the Denver Broncos, Franklin, started all but one game and switched off between guard and tackle for one of the most high-powered offenses in the NFL.
Franklin, 27, spent the first three seasons of his career playing right tackle, including 2011 when the Broncos were the No. 1 rushing team in the NFL and is reunited with the team’s former offensive coordinator, and current Chargers coach, Mike McCoy.
He was then moved to guard in the 2014 season after the team’s left guard Zane Beadles departed in free agency.
The Chargers listed Franklin as a guard in their announcement and according to U-T San Diego that is where the team plans on playing him, as General Manager Tom Telesco mentioned last month that he plans on keeping D.J. Fluker at right tackle next season.
However, Franklin’s 6-foot-7, 320 pound frame could make him a fit at both tackle or guard.
Either way, Franklin’s presence should help an offensive line that struggled to protect Philip Rivers down the stretch last season, like when he was sacked seven times in the team’s season finale vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.
