The Panthers have rebooted their roster this offseason, beginning at the top by making some major changes at quarterback.
Former MVP starter Cam Newton was recently released, ending a nine-year run as the team’s franchise QB. The man that backed him up last year is also gone, as Carolina traded Kyle Allen to Washington for a fifth-round draft pick. That leaves Will Grier as the only familiar face in the quarterbacks room from the 2019 season.
Teddy Bridgewater is now confirmed as the new starter and he should make a strong fit for Joe Brady’s offense, if nothing else.
The Panthers also have a bit of a wild card at their QB2 spot. P.J. Walker likely would have won the XFL’s MVP award before their season was cut short by COVID-19. Walker previously played for coach Matt Rhule at Temple and that was probably a huge factor in his signing.
Speaking with reporters on a Zoom call today, Rhule said Walker had seven teams interested before the Panthers landed him.
Rhule says former Temple QB PJ Walker had seven teams interested in signing him before Panthers landed him.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) April 8, 2020
Walker was playing against a level of competition far lower than what he will see in the NFL. However, for what it’s worth he looked dynamic and decisive leading the Houston Roughnecks’ offense.
Aside from the preseason, we probably won’t get to see Walker on the field unless Bridgewater gets injured. The depth he offers could be a significant factor if that happens, though.
This isn’t his first rodeo. Walker was on and off the Colts’ practice squad for two years before he took off in the XFL. He has signed a two-year, $1.565 million deal with the Panthers.
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