The Chicago Bears have a new backup quarterback. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Bears sign former Carolina Panthers quarterback PJ Walker to a two-year contract. Walker will likely become Justin Fields’ new backup, and will also reunite with receiver DJ Moore, who acquired the team from the Panthers last week as part of the transaction related to the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Walker joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 as an undrafted free agent, but entered the XFL scene in 2020 for the Houston Roughnecks. He was the league leader in passing yards and touchdowns before the COVID-19 pandemic halted play. That success led him to a deal with the Panthers, where he started a handful of games between 2020 and 2022.
Last season, Walker started five games and threw for 731 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. His best moment came on a 62-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Moore against the Atlanta Falcons late in the fourth quarter in an overtime loss. Now he comes to Chicago as Fields’ back-up and a chance to work with Moore again. The Bears still have Trevor Siemian on the roster as backup, but he may be on his way out with Walker coming up.
While it wasn’t the bombshell Bears fans were hoping to see, people seem happy with the move to bring in a backup like Walker. Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news.
PJ Walker and DJ Moore are reunited.
Honestly, a mobile QB like Walker makes so much more sense than Justin Fields backup. I like the signature. https://t.co/EZglz4ItKH
— Max Markham (@MaxMarkhamNFL) March 16, 2023
Smart move, Siemian and Fields don’t play anywhere near the same style so you need to have a completely new attack when he comes in where PJ and Fields have similar skills and can hit similar offenses https://t.co/bcsmj7RJEK
— Mister Psycho T (@SirPsychoT) March 16, 2023
Was personally hoping for an offer from Tyler Huntley of the #Bears, but PJ Walker is not a bad thing. Aside from his short stature, he’s got a solid arm and enough starting experience not to let you down when Fields goes down. Must be able to perform the offense https://t.co/zL5MUyi4Kt
— Jordan Silveira (@JordanTSilveira) March 16, 2023
I don’t think Walker was signed as #2, but rather #3 QB. Simian is still on the roster. What’s nice is that he’s a mobile QB again
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) March 16, 2023