SAN DIEGO — Backup quarterback Billy Volek was on the free-agent market for less than 24 hours before agreeing to a three-year contract to return to the San Diego Chargers.

Terms of the deal today weren't immediately available.

Volek said remaining with the Chargers was more important than trying to land a starting job with a team that wasn't as good as the Chargers, who reached the AFC championship game before losing to New England.

Volek's return is important for San Diego, because starter Philip Rivers is rehabbing from reconstructive surgery on his right knee.