Titans happy to finalize deal with backup quarterback

“Both Billy and the team have invested a lot of time in preparing him for this role, and we feel confident in his abilities to win games for us if called upon,” Reese said in a statement.

The Titans and Volek will discuss the new deal at a news conference Thursday. Volek’s agent, Ken Staninger, said Tuesday that they had agreed to a four-year deal with an option for a fifth year that needed only the final details concluded.

Volek wanted the chance to start, but he heard only from teams with starters already entrenched like Green Bay with Brett Favre, Atlanta with Michael Vick, Denver with Jake Plummer and Buffalo with Drew Bledsoe.

But his free agent visits helped Staninger and the Titans determine a market price for the quarterback.

Volek, who went undrafted out of Fresno State in 2000, played in seven games last season, including one start. He lacerated his spleen in that 28-26 victory over Buffalo on Dec. 14, knocking him out of the rest of the season. In his career, he is 44-of-72 for 545 yards, four touchdowns and one interception for a 97.3 passer rating.