Burnett leaves the Dallas Cowboys, for whom he played the past four seasons after being drafted in the second round in 2005 out of Tennessee.

Burnett, who also plays special teams, had 38 tackles and two sacks in 2008, and his 19 special teams tackles were second on the Cowboys.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to add an outstanding football player to our team," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said. "Kevin has excelled in the kicking game throughout his career and has experience in a defensive system that is very similar to ours. We're glad to have him aboard."

The Cowboys run a defense much like what the Chargers use.

"It's very, very similar," Burnett said. "It's a lot of the same calls. Obviously people do things different from team to team, but it should be a pretty easy transition."