The Los Angeles Chargers opened the new league year by re-signing three of their own free agents.
The Bolts announced safety Jahleel Addae and long snapper Mike Windt each inked four-year contracts while quarterback Kellen Clemens signed a one-year deal. All three were signed prior to becoming unrestricted free agents on the expiration of their old contracts.
A 5-10, 195-pound safety known for his punishing, bone-rattling hits, Addae provides an intimidating presence in the heart of the Chargers' secondary. He initially joined the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2013 out of Central Michigan.
"The Hitman" has totaled 194 tackles, 10 passes defensed, three sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception in 48 career regular season games. He's also appeared in two playoff games, recording 13 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Addae climbed the ladder to emerge as the team's starting safety in 2015. He totaled 65 tackles, two tackles for loss, four passes defensed and one sack in 13 games that year. Unfortunately, he fractured his clavicle early in the 2016 season that limited him to only eight games last year.
Still, he returned to make his presence felt over the team's final six games, culminating in a memorable Week 17 performance against the Chiefs. Addae hauled in his first career interception and turned it into a 90-yard pick six. It was the seventh longest interception in franchise history. Overall, the 27-year old finished 2016 with 49 tackles, three tackles for loss, three passes defensed and one interception.
Meanwhile, 2017 marks Windt's eighth with the Chargers after joining the team midway through the 2010 campaign. He's appeared in 101 career games. The 6-1, 237-pound product out of Cincinnati has been a mainstay on special teams, appearing in 66 consecutive games including two post season contests since suffering a wrist injury in 2012.
Finally, Clemens returns for his fourth season backing up Philip Rivers. The 11-year veteran was originally a second-round pick of the New York Jets in 2006, and has also spent time with the Rams and Texans. He's started 21 career games, and completed 344 of 630 passes for 4,017 yards and 16 TDs since entering the NFL. Clemens has been a trusted confident for Rivers since arriving in 2014. The 6-2, 220-pound passer has seen limited action, completing six of 10 passes for 73 yards and one touchdown in three seasons.
Relive some of "The Hitman's" most ferocious tackles.
