SAN DIEGO -- A person with knowledge of the deal says the San Diego Chargers have agreed in principle to a four-year contract with kicker Nick Novak.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details are still being finalized. Novak, who had been scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, can't sign the contract until free agency begins on Tuesday afternoon.
Teams are able to negotiate with agents of unrestricted free agents from Saturday into Tuesday afternoon.
Novak made 18 of 20 field goal attempts (90 percent) in 2012, the third-highest conversion rate in team history. He was signed on Sept. 29 after Nate Kaeding hurt his groin in practice two days before a game at Kansas City. Novak also kicked for San Diego in the final 15 games of 2011 after Kaeding was hurt on the season-opening kickoff.
Also Saturday, the Chargers signed long snapper Mike Windt to a four-year contract.