The first player to go from the XFL to the NFL is reportedly Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker. Walker will sign a contract with the Carolina Panthers per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Walker will be joining newly acquired Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Allen, and 2019 draftee Will Grier under center. Bridgewater remains the favorite to start after signing a $21 million per year contract after resurrecting his career with the New Orleans Saints last year.
It is only a matter of time before the Panthers part ways with longtime starting quarterback and former league MVP Cam Newton. With Newton gone, it will be Bridgewater’s job to lose.
Walker should fit in nicely in the scheme new Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady is installing. Brady’s high-octane system should lend itself well to Walker’s gunslinging and mobile play style. Expect Walker to be high-end insurance policy for an injury-prone Bridgewater.
Last season with the Houston Roughnecks, Walker was the frontrunner for XFL MVP. Walker dominated the league in passing, leading the league in touchdowns thrown (15), passing yards (1,338), long (84), and completions (119).
No information has been made available about the financial arrangements of his contract, however it should be assumed that it included a fair amount of guaranteed money thanks to his stellar performance in the XFL last season.
Despite never playing in an NFL regular season game, Walker will be returning to the NFL for a second chance. Walker was signed as a free agent by the Indianapolis colts in 2017 after going undrafted out of Temple in the American Athletic Conference.
Walker bounced on and off the Colts practice squad before signing with the Houston Roughnecks at the referral of then Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Colts star Andrew Luck told XFL commissioner and father Oliver Luck that Walker deserved a chance to play.
“He said, ‘Dad, I’m telling you, this guy can play. He’s a good kid and a hard worker, and he’s hungry to play.’”
Walker will face stiff competition in Carolina for a roster spot.
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