Quarterback Phillip “PJ” Walker, who broke out as the biggest star of the XFL’s shortened debut season, is signing with the Carolina Panthers, reports said Monday.
XFL news: Former Houston Roughnecks QB PJ Walker is expected to sign with the #Panthers, source said. One of the stars of the XFL lands an NFL job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2020
In five games, Walker managed a 65% completion rate and led the league with 1,338 passing yards and 15 touchdowns versus only four interceptions, while leading the Houston Roughnecks to the XFL’s only perfect 5-0 record. Walker also ran for 99 yards, including a 28-yarder as his longest scramble, with one touchdown.
The league officially canceled its season on Friday and allowed its players to sign with NFL teams starting Monday. Walker is the first XFL player to do so.
This doesn’t mark Walker’s first entry into the NFL. As an undrafted free agent, he stuck around for parts of three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts on their practice squad. He turned to the XFL after the Colts cut him before the 2019 regular season.
The Panthers’ new coach, Matt Rhule, coached Walker at Temple in Philadelphia. Carolina signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and is planning to trade or release Cam Newton, meaning Walker has an opportunity to make the roster as Bridgewater’s backup. Later in the day, the Panthers traded backup quarterback Kyle Allen to the Washington Redskins.
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