The Miami Dolphins have reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Larry Chester, the first of what figures to be several moves by the team this week.

Chester will sign a five-year contract worth $9 million and with an escalator that could easily earn him an additional $1 million. The signing bonus is $1.3 million.

The acquisition will likely create a major reconfiguration of the team's defensive line. By adding Chester, who will come in as a starter, the Dolphins will be able to switch tackle Daryl Gardener to left end. Gardener has suffered from chronic back problems, and had his season cut short by surgery last year. By moving to defensive end, he will have to lose weight, which should help reduce the strain on his back. The move will also help him avoid double-team blocks.

The deal with Chester has been in the works for days, with Miami officials phoning agent David Levine just minutes after midnight on Friday, the start of the free agent period.

Miami has been very aggressive in recent days. The team will meet Tuesday with Olin Kreutz, the former Chicago Bears center who some people regard as the top unrestricted free agent at any position, and will likely sign him to a six-year, $25 million contract. That could mean longtime Dolphins center Tim Ruddy will be released.

The Dolphins continue to discuss a trade for New Orleans tailback Ricky Williams as well.

Chester, 26, played for Carolina in 2001 and had a productive year, with 36 tackles, before a broken ankle ended his year. The Dolphins gave him a physical exam in Indianapolis, where he lives, over the weekend and he passed. He recently had a pin removed from the ankle, and may not be able to practice full-speed until June, but should be a solid complement to incumbent starting tackle Tim Bowens.

In four seasons, Chester has played in 56 games and started 15, and has 115 tackles, 2½ sacks, one forced fumble and five passes defensed. He played with the Colts the first three seasons of his career (1998-2000) before signing with the Panthers last year.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer at ESPN.com.