The Panthers on Wednesday officially signed quarterback PJ Walker to a two-year contract.
Walker comes to Carolina after a shortened season in the XFL where he turned heads as one of the league's most outstanding players. Through five games for the Houston Roughnecks, he led the league in passing touchdowns (15) and passing yards (1,338), while helping the team achieve a league-best 5-0 record.
Prior to his time in the XFL, Walker spent 2017-18 on the Colts' practice squad.
A native of Elizabeth, N.J., Walker originally signed with the Colts in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Temple, where he played for current Panthers head coach Matt Rhule. While at Temple, Walker led the Owls to back-to-back 10-4 seasons, tying for the most single-season wins in school history. He is still the Owls' all-time leader in passing yards (10,668) and passing touchdowns (74).
See photos of quarterback P.J. Walker during his brief stint in the XFL. Prior to that, he was on the practice squad with Indianapolis and played college football at Temple.
Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker (11) looks to pass as he scrambles during an XFL football game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker (11) celebrates after a touchdown during an XFL football game against the Los Angeles Wildcats, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker (11) looks to pass during an XFL football game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker (11) looks to pass during an XFL football game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker (11) looks to pass during an XFL football game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker (11) looks to pass as he scrambles during an XFL football game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker (11) carries the ball as he runs during an XFL football game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Temple quarterback P.J. Walker (11) passes against Cincinnati in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Temple quarterback P.J. Walker (11) throws a pass during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against the Central Florida, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Philadelphia. Central Florida win 39-36. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Temple Owls quarterback P.J. Walker (11) scrambles with the ball as Central Florida Knights linebacker Deondre Barnett (43) looks on during the first quarter of an NCAA NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Temple quarterback P.J. Walker (11) throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. Rutgers won 23-20. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Temple quarterback P.J. Walker passes against Cincinnati in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Temple quarterback P. J. Walker walks into the end zone to make the score 31-7 in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brian Powers)
