KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City has signed free agent linebacker Zach Thomas in an effort to fix one of the weakest positions on a team that went 2-14 last year.

Earlier this season, the Chiefs acquired Mike Vrabel in a deal that also brought quarterback Matt Cassel from New England.

Thomas, 5-foot-11 and 242 pounds, has 182 starts during a 13-year career, mostly with the Miami Dolphins. He has made the Pro Bowl seven times, but not since 2006. He played last year with Dallas and was an unrestricted free agent.

The Chiefs also waived wide receiver Will Franklin on Monday. Franklin made one start last year and appeared in 13 games.