Free Agency Watch: Franklin Officially Joins Chargers

Bolts also agree to contracts with Robinson, Mathews

As the NFL free agency period officially opened Tuesday afternoon, the San Diego Chargers formally announced acquiring Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin.

The move will bolster the Bolts’ offensive line with one of the top free agents on the market this year – something experts think is critical for the Chargers’ offensive success.

Also Tuesday, the Chargers agreed to contracts with center Trevor Robinson for two years and defensive end Ricardo Mathews for one year.

In other news, the team released offensive guard Chad Rinehart for about a $3 million cap saving.

The Bolts' five-year contract with Franklin -- worth about $36 million -- was the biggest news of the day.

Franklin is entering his fifth season in the NFL. He was a second-round pick by the Broncos in 2011.

In 2012, he started every game and allowed only 3.5 sacks for the season, the fewest among right tackles starting every game.

The acquisition was expected this week, though Franklin was replying to fans’ tweets three days ago, saying he was unsure where he would land.

On Tuesday afternoon, he tweeted to a fan: “Broncos never offered me a deal, so I went with a team that did.”

Franklin joins three other free agents or would-be free agents to sign with the Chargers. They include left tackle King Dunlap, cornerback Brandon Flowers and return specialist Jacoby Jones.

NBC 7 Reporter Derek Togerson contributed this report.

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