The Carolina Panthers are in the midst of a frustrating season, but there may be a slight glimmer of hope for their future.
After starting quarterback Baker Mayfield went down with an injury in a Week 5 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers, backup P.J. Walker took over, and he has been playing well.
On Sunday, he led Carolina to a resounding 21-3 win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by going 16 of 22 and throwing two touchdown passes against zero interceptions.
In fact, Pro Football Focus gave him lots of flowers afterward.
P.J. Walker QB1 pic.twitter.com/QHQBhg03SG
— PFF (@PFF) October 24, 2022
Another Leader In Carolina
Until Mayfield’s injury, Walker had started just two games in his three seasons in the NFL, and virtually no one thought he was starting QB material.
But so far this year, he has a 70.5 percent completion rate, two touchdown passes, and a very strong 104.1 passer rating.
Walker’s journey to this point has been an unorthodox one, as he went undrafted in 2017 following four solid but unspectacular years at Temple University.
The New Jersey native spent two years on the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts, then played five games in the XFL in 2020 before the Panthers signed him.
Carolina doesn’t have a whole lot other than Walker going for it, and it may be in the middle of a massive restructuring.
It just traded away star dual-threat running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers for several draft picks, and at least one of their wide receivers has been rumored to also be on the trading block.
NEXT: NFL Insider Names 4 Players Panthers Won't Trade