Jahleel Addae, Los Angeles Chargers Agree to 4-Year Contract

Injuries limited Jahleel Addae to eight games in 2016, but he'll be looking for a healthier 2017 in Los Angeles, agreeing Thursday to a four-year contract with the Chargers.

A former undrafted free agent, Addae spent his first four NFL seasons in San Diego with the Chargers. He spent his first two seasons working on special teams and as an occasional starter before moving into the lineup full time in 2015.

"It meant everything to me," Addae told the team's website of his return. "Looking back on four years ago, coming in as an undrafted safety, when nobody gave me a chance, this organization did. They believed in me from Day One and gave me an opportunity to showcase my talent."

After appearing in 13 games two seasons ago, a broken clavicle in September cost him eight games. Addae played his most productive football of his career upon his return, finishing with 50 total tackles and one interception, which he returned for a 90-yard touchdown.

While the most productive member of the Chargers secondary, Addae's hard-hitting nature has drawn controversy. Aaron Woolley of SB Nation's Chargers blog wrote a post saying Addae "should not play football anymore" after a hit that dislocated the knee of Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Cecil Shorts.

“They say go for the mid-section, but the target lowers and you can possibly have your helmet hit his helmet, and it’s a fine, and it’s a flag. I’m hurting my pockets, and I’m hurting my team. And then, when I go low, some classify it as ‘dirty.’ It’s a lose-lose situation. … I deliberately did not go high because of my past," Addae told Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Addae has been fined and flagged multiple times for hits during his career. His nickname within the Chargers was "Hit-Man."

Despite his controversial reputation, it was no surprise to see Addae as a commodity on the open market. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 12th-best safety in the NFL last season, and he is far better in coverage than his one career interception would have you suspect. PFF ranked him ninth among safeties in pass defense.

Having just turned 27 in January, the Chargers are buying in during the middle of Addae's prime. If he can learn to curb the illegal hits without losing his aggressive nature, this could be one of the offseason's better signings.