Report: XFL’s P.J. Walker to sign with Panthers

If the XFL would have given out an MVP award for its shortened season, P.J. Walker would have won. Now, he will get a chance to prove himself in the NFL, as the Carolina Panthers will sign Walker coming off his strong season, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

The Panthers new head coach, Matt Rhule, coached Walker while they were in Temple and Walker says the two kept in touch weekly and that Rhule watched his games. That familiarity should give Walker a real chance to make the team or at least sign onto the practice squad.

Walker and receiver Cam Phillips were an electrifying duo for the Houston Roughnecks, connecting on nine touchdown passes in five games. Walker’s numbers were helped by coach June Jones’ Run N’ Shoot offense, but he wasn’t passing the ball 50 times a game. He averaged 36.8 attempts, and finished with 15 touchdowns to four interceptions and a 104.4 NFL rating. His chances of becoming a true NFL starter are slim, but he does have a shot to be a useful backup and stick around the league.

The Panthers have decided to let Cam Newton walk and go with free agent Teddy Bridgewater as their starter for the foreseeable future. After Bridgewater, they have Will Grier and Kyle Allen, both players left over from Ron Rivera’s regime. Walker has a real chance to beat both out with a strong training camp.