Free agent QB Billy Volek was reportedly "insulted" when the Chargers offered him one year at the veteran minimum to return to San Diego.

For a guy who has turned down starting opportunities in the past to settle on backup deals, Volek has a high opinion of himself. The 36-year-old turned down San Diego's offer, and the club opted for Kyle Boller. "We did offer Billy," Chargers GM A.J. Smith confirmed. "Billy was No. 1 on our ready list. ... It didn't work out. You will have to ask Billy and his agent why."

A reunion between free agent QB Billy Volek and the Chargers is not imminent at this time.

Chargers released QB Billy Volek.

Chargers re-signed QB Billy Volek to a two-year contract.

Volek has spent the last four years backing up Philip Rivers, who hasn't missed a start during that span. The 35-year-old posted a 50.7 completion rate and 0:4 TD-to-INT ratio in the 2010 preseason, but the Chargers value Volek's stability and familiarity with the offense. We'd expect free agent Marc Bulger to follow suit now and re-sign with the Ravens. Volek was in a similar position as Bulger three years ago, and couldn't resist the clipboard.

The Chargers reportedly "hope" to re-sign free agent QB Billy Volek.

The only team we've heard connected with Volek all offseason was the Panthers, and multiple reports denied their interest. The Bolts signed Wisconsin's Scott Tolzien as a developmental project, but they still want veteran insurance behind Philip Rivers.

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome considers signing a veteran backup quarterback a priority once free agency begins.

Our best guess is Billy Volek, who's been in a Cam Cameron-style offense since arriving in San Diego and would be a natural replacement for Marc Bulger. The Baltimore Sun mentions other possibilities that include Bulger, Kerry Collins, Todd Collins, Todd Bouman, Rex Grossman, and Chad Pennington.

Updating a previous item, the Gaston Gazette's Steve Reed is now told by league sources that the Panthers are unlikely to pursue free agent QB Billy Volek as a stopgap option.

Reed was apparently just connecting the dots when he first floated the idea of Volek to the Panthers as a "mentor" in Rob Chudzinski's offense. It's not clear if Carolina will ditch the veteran fill-in option altogether, or if it's just a lack of interest in Volek.

The Gaston Gazette's Steve Reed reiterated his belief that free agent QB Billy Volek could follow Ron Rivera to Carolina once free agency kicks off.

Reed appears to be the one local writer who believes the Panthers' interest in Cam Newton is more smokescreen than genuine. Be it Newton or Jimmy Clausen as the developmental QB, Volek could be brought in as a "mentor" in Rob Chudzinski's offense. Though he'd be a bottom-tier NFL starter, Volek would actually be welcome news for the production of Steve Smith in 2011.

The Gaston Gazette's Steve Reed speculates that free agent QB Billy Volek could be an option for the Panthers in 2011.

Both of the primary newspapers covering the team believe the Panthers will bring in a veteran QB as a fallback option to Jimmy Clausen. Volek makes sense because he worked with new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski in San Diego the past two years. While the 35-year-old is no team's idea of a QB solution, he's at least capable of moving an offense down the field. We can't say the same for Clausen.

Impending free agent QB Billy Volek says he would like to re-sign with the Chargers, but may also be interested in testing the market.

"It's a quarterback-hungry league," Volek said. "I know my agent is very excited about it. ... Right now, the ball is in the San Diego Chargers' court." Volek has always seemed satisfied with a backup role, and coach Norv Turner was adamant Monday that he wants Volek back. A reunion appears probable.

Chargers backup QB Billy Volek is not expected to be available Sunday after missing Thursday's practice with a leg injury.

Volek apparently suffered the injury in the preseason finale, but the Chargers have kept the details on the down-low. His questionable status explains the signing of journeyman J.T. Sullivan earlier in the week.