The Chargers wasted little time adding new players to the fold on the first official day of NFL free agency.
They also resigned tight end Antonio Gates to a 2-year deal that is believed to be worth $12 million.
Gates has spent his entire NFL career with San Diego and has said repeatedly he wants to retire as a Charger.
Gates is only seven scores shy of tying Tony Gonzalez’ record for most touchdowns by a tight end in NFL history.
The Chargers also re-signed backup quarterback Kellen Clemens. Clemens will return for his 3rd season with the Bolts but only attempted six passes last year.
In terms of new additions, San Diego agreed to terms with former Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin and also added veteran safety Dwight Lowery (Colts) and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane who spent his first 9 years in the league with Seattle.
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Benjamin agreed to a 4-year deal worth 24-million.
In a statement on the team’s website, Chargers head coach Mike McCoy said, "(Benjamin) is a playmaker that brings a different dynamic to our team. His speed will be an asset, as he has shown the ability to really stretch the field," We're also excited for what he can do as a returner. His speed and overall athleticism will help us in both phases."
The 26-year-old Benjamin is coming off his best season. The former Miami Hurricane totaled a career-high 68 receptions and 966 yards in 2015, which ranked second on the Browns. Benjamin also had five receiving touchdowns.
"(Benjamin) is just so explosive," Rivers said in a statement. "We saw it when we played [Cleveland] last year. He makes defenses look out because he can run by you in a hurry. He is very versatile and I think he will fit right in as another guy to spread the ball around to."
Expect Benjamin to slide into Malcom Floyd’s old role as the Bolts’ number-2 wideout and also help the Chargers improve their return game.
San Diego finished dead last in 2015 in punt return yardage.
San Diego was also 31st out of 32 in run defense. The addition of Mebane should help big-time.
Mebane is a 6-1, 311-pound nose tackle who should provide an immediate boost to the Chargers defensive line.
The Los Angeles native was drafted by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft from California-Berkeley and helped Seattle make two consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the past three years which includes Seattle’s win over Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Mebane has played in 142 NFL games with 134 starts, including 11 postseason games and nine starts. His career totals (postseason included) are 386 tackles, 15.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
Mebane was also named All-Pro by Sports Illustrated in 2013.
The Bolts also plan to keep a few more of their own free agents.
The team placed a second-round tender on restricted free agent strong safety Jahleel Addae, while tendering offers to exclusive rights free agents wide receiver Dontrelle Inman and guard Kenny Wiggins.
Addae started 12 games for the Bolts at strong safety last season.
Inman caught his first NFL touchdown last year at Lambeau field and played in 14 games after injuries opened up playing time for him in his 2nd year with the Chargers.
Wiggins played in all but one contest last season and showed his versatility by playing right guard, left guard and even right tackle due to San Diego’s countless injuries on the O-Line.
