Orlando Franklin Released by Chargers After 2 Seasons

After taking two guards in last month's NFL draft, the Los Angeles Chargers are moving on from guard Orlando Franklin.

The Chargers confirmed the move Monday on Twitter after ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the decision.

Franklin, 29, spent the last two seasons with the Chargers after signing a five-year, $36.5 million contract in 2015 ($20 million guaranteed). He was due a $6 million base salary next season, and the team still owes him $3.5 million in guaranteed money, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Chargers will save around $3 million in 2017 cap space.

Franklin became expendable when the team selected Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney with their Day 2 picks in April's draft. Lamp and Feeney are expected to begin their careers at guard, though both have enough versatility to move outside in a pinch. The Chargers could go into next season with two rookie starters at guard, though incumbent Donavon Clark will compete.

Pro Football Focus ranked Franklin as one of the NFL's worst guards in 2016. He ranked 66th among 72 qualifying players and graded out near the bottom in both run blocking and pass blocking. Once a borderline Pro Bowler with the Denver Broncos, Franklin's two-year tenure with the Chargers was mostly a bust.

He'll likely look to latch on this summer for a team in need of help inside, though it's unclear if he'll be guaranteed a starting job.