Novak signs four-year contract

The Chargers have signed kicker Nick Novak to a new four-year contract, the team announced today.

Novak, who has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Chargers, signed with the team four weeks into the 2012 season and hit 18 of 20 field goal attempts in the team’s final 13 games. He was a perfect 18-18 inside 50 yards and his 90-percent conversion rate was the third-highest for a season in team history. Novak also helped the Chargers rank among the league leaders in drive starts following kickoffs. Opponents began drives in 2012 at an average of the 20.4-yard line, third best in the NFL, and 22 of his 62 kickoffs went for touchbacks.

“I want to thank the Spanos family, Mr. Telesco, Coach McCoy and the entire Chargers organization for re-signing me for four more years,” said Novak. “I look forward to working with (Special Teams) Coach (Kevin) Spencer. He’s spent 30-plus years in the game and has a wealth of knowledge. He’s very good at what he does so I’m excited to work with him on a daily basis.”

A native of San Diego, Novak went to training camp with the Chargers in 2010 but lost a close competition with Nate Kaeding. In 2011, he was re-signed shortly after Kaeding was injured on the opening kickoff of the season. A career 63.3-percent field goal kicker prior to 2011, Novak made his first 12 field goals and finished the season having made 27 of 34, while setting team records for field goals of 40 (12) and 50 (4) yards or longer.

Novak is the Chargers’ second free agent to sign a new contract. Long snapper Mike Windt signed a new four-year deal on March 9.