San Diego acquired veteran quarterback Billy Volek from…
San Diego acquired veteran quarterback Billy Volek from Tennessee for a conditional 2007 sixth-round selection that ultimately became pick 204, where the Titans selected defensive end Jacob Ford. The Chargers received dependable quarterback insurance plus a memorable postseason contribution, while the Titans turned a surplus player into several seasons of defensive production.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Billy Volek
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 2007 6th round pick (204th overall, Jacob Ford)
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
San Diego acquired veteran quarterback Billy Volek from Tennessee for a conditional 2007 sixth-round selection that ultimately became pick 204, where the Titans selected defensive end Jacob Ford. At the time, each club had a practical roster reason for acting, and the price was small enough or targeted enough to make the exchange understandable before the later results were known.
What the Returns Produced
Volek spent six seasons as Philip Rivers' backup and delivered his signature moment in the 2007 divisional playoff win at Indianapolis, replacing an injured Rivers and scoring the go-ahead rushing touchdown. Tennessee turned a reserve quarterback it was moving away from into Jacob Ford, who became a useful rotational pass rusher and posted 15.5 sacks across his Titans career. Looking only at the names exchanged on the transaction date misses part of the story, because actual playing time, role, longevity and any later use of draft capital determine how much football value each side ultimately created.
How the Value Developed
The Chargers received dependable quarterback insurance plus a memorable postseason contribution, while the Titans turned a surplus player into several seasons of defensive production. The longer view matters most here: a short burst of production can still justify a modest acquisition cost, while a draft choice can become more valuable when it is converted into a durable starter or additional selections.
Why This Trade Still Matters
This deal is a useful reminder that trade value should follow the complete return rather than stop at the first transaction line. Later pick movement, roster tenure and meaningful postseason or starting contributions all belong in the comparison. That approach gives both teams credit for what their assets actually became instead of grading only the original labels.
Final Verdict
Even Trade is the best fit. San Diego Chargers earns a B+, while Tennessee Titans earns a B+. Those marks account for the cost paid, the direct production received, the length of each contribution and any important downstream draft value. The gap is intentionally narrow when both sides found useful returns and wider when one club received little lasting football value.