By Mary Cunningham
Anyone in Philly remember King Dunlap, the 6-9, 335-pound offensive tackle who became a punch line and a metaphor for the decline in the Eagles’ fortunes during the last, sorry year of Andy Reid as coach in 2012?
On Thursday, the San Diego Chargers announced that tackle King Dunlap has agreed to terms on a four-year deal.
“I am glad to be back with the Chargers organization,” Dunlap said in a team-issued release. “I can’t say thank you enough to [owner] Dean Spanos, as well as [G.M.] Tom Telesco, Coach [Mike] McCoy and [offensive line] Coach Joe D [D’Alessandris] for helping this day to arrive. It’s an honor and a blessing and I’m ready to get back to work.”
Dunlap, who arrived in 2013, started all 16 games last season and secured recognition as the team’s lineman of the year. According to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego, Dunlap’s deal is worth $28 million. The breakdown of the deal (most importantly, the cash fully guaranteed at signing) has not yet been reported.
Dunlap was due to become a free agent on March 10, the first day of the 2015 league year. He was ranked No. 47 in the PFT Hot 100 list of free agents, and he becomes the first of the 100 to agree to a new deal.
“King has been top notch the last few years for us at left tackle,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “It’s very well-deserved for him personally and a huge signing for our team.”
