The Carolina Panthers, who recently inked former Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to be their starter for the 2020 season, have now added a backup at the position that comes from an unexpected place.
P.J. Walker, who spent the first months of 2020 playing for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks. Before the season was cut short, Walker starred as one of the best players in the fledgling league. He threw for 1,338 yards and 15 touchdown passes in five games, leading his team to a perfect 5-0 record.
The New Jersey native posted a solid 65% completion percentage, throwing only 4 interceptions. His yardage and touchdown totals led the league before its cancellation.
Walker had spent time on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad during his first two years out of college. He was signed undrafted out Temple University but never got a chance to play in the league.
The 25-year-old appears to have struck gold after his XFL cameo. He will become the first XFL player to sign an NFL contract since the league’s return for 2020, making history.
Now, Walker will be slotted as Teddy Bridgewater’s backup on the team’s NFL roster heading into the 2020 season, something few could have ever imagined just a few short months ago.
