The Chicago Bears have a new backup quarterback. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Bears are signing former Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker to a two-year deal. Walker likely becomes the new backup to Justin Fields and also reunites with receiver D.J. Moore, who the team acquired from the Panthers last week as part of the trade involving first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Walker joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 as an undrafted free agent, but burst onto the scene in 2020 in the XFL for the Houston Roughnecks. He was the league leader in passing yards and touchdowns before the COVID-19 pandemic halted play. That success propelled him to a deal with the Panthers, where he started a handful of games between 2020 and 2022.
Last season, Walker started five games, throwing 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 the backup to Fields and a chance to work with Moore once again. The Bears do still have Trevor Siemian on the roster as a backup, but he may be on his way out with Walker coming on.
Though it wasn’t the bombshell Bears fans were hoping to see, people seem happy with the move to land a backup like Walker. Here is how Twitter reacted to the news.
PJ Walker to DJ Moore was maybe the play of the year in 2022,,, just sayin,,, Bears are back https://t.co/C5kqRWh2Y3
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 16, 2023
Surely he can help Justin Fields get acclimated to DJ Moore with his experience with the new #Bears WR. https://t.co/sPTh9fQ51C
— Will DeWitt (@Wi11DeWitt) March 16, 2023
PJ Walker and DJ Moore are reunited.
Honestly a mobile QB like Walker makes so much more sense as Justin Fields back-up. I like the signing. https://t.co/EZglz4ItKH
— Max Markham (@MaxMarkhamNFL) March 16, 2023
Again every move Poles has made is GOOD like THIS! But we need a RT and an edge, hopefully he is working on it! https://t.co/HlCkRNsROx
— King Kumar (@KingKumarspod) March 16, 2023
I’m down wit it tho… https://t.co/SuddY73MgW
— justasisterfromthechi (@justasisterfro2) March 16, 2023
Walker played well when he got the opportunity. Wishing him much success in Chi-Town. https://t.co/yFGNDDz6VP
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) March 16, 2023
Love this! Wanted to draft him years ago for our QB depth.
Dude is a legit play maker 💯 https://t.co/WWqtOX1P2f— Tyler Ellis (@Thegainsreport) March 16, 2023
LETSSSSSSS GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/wdtA7VNwlM
— Daurice Fountain (@Reece_JMM) March 16, 2023
PJ Walker is an ideal backup for Justin Fields. This is a smart signing. https://t.co/QYKvQfpQ3G
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 16, 2023
PJ Walker will be a nice player to have in the QB room with Fields. Walker is also very familiar with newly traded for WR, DJ Moore. #Bears https://t.co/GHElWCDcJc
— Brandon Franco (@FrankGrizzly) March 16, 2023
LOVE THIS https://t.co/p6ZdaXEAZG
— aj (@ajdavis22800) March 16, 2023
This is a good backup option https://t.co/kpld3qhxyM
— 79th & Halas Podcast (@79thAndHalas) March 16, 2023
XFL AND PANTHERS LEGEND LFG https://t.co/p6Ku2LhNYu pic.twitter.com/93Xwvlt1sa
— 💚Nicole Pinter❤️ (@nicole_pinter6) March 16, 2023
Smart move, Siemian and Fields don't play anywhere near the same style so you have to have a complete new offense when he comes in, where PJ and Fields have similar skills and can run similar offenses https://t.co/bcsmj7RJEK
— Sir Psycho T (@SirPsychoT) March 16, 2023
I like this a lot https://t.co/LLl8ikWbsF
— Zach Burden (@back_bears) March 16, 2023
Big, big fan. The fit makes sense, and Walker has been nice in Carolina. https://t.co/LGPeJdWdIf
— Ron Luce (@LuceOnTap) March 16, 2023
The Bears whole offseason plan was built off this one play lol pic.twitter.com/lYBbHiWF1m https://t.co/9Jry6aEjQh
— Payton (@paytonisnotroll) March 16, 2023
Was personally holding out hope for a Tyler Huntley offer from the #Bears, but PJ Walker's not a bad thing. Outside of his diminutive stature he's got a solid arm & has enough starting experience to not leave you stranded if Fields goes down. Should be able to operate the offense https://t.co/zL5MUyi4Kt
— Jordan Silveira (@JordanTSilveira) March 16, 2023
We have JF2 in da house! 🐻🔽 https://t.co/mVRYUHIyYn
— OhioBearsFanatic (@BearsDieHardFan) March 16, 2023
Love this! Welcome to Chicago, PJ! https://t.co/GXbl6pXsFY
— Kellen Sherman (@KShermanSports) March 16, 2023
I love this so much https://t.co/b88ePPDLSf
— DRUNK FIELDS 💯 (@DrunkJFields) March 16, 2023
LETS GO I ACTUALLY LOVE THIS SIGNING https://t.co/vFxK6PgG1W
— ChicagoMuse (@ChicagoStatMuse) March 16, 2023
Good for him. Definitely a good fit https://t.co/WAZRsAleAs
— Pat Coletrain (@PatColetrain) March 16, 2023
Good fit for a backup!!! https://t.co/tQeBeUxTk9
— 🇨🇦Steven🇭🇷 (@Steveo1934) March 16, 2023
Now this is smart. You like to add a guy who has similar traits https://t.co/mltxHoVqmx
— Bear Dahn (@DahB3ARS) March 16, 2023
Backup QB that can run the same system as the starter!!! Ryan Poles gets it 🥲 https://t.co/3AIKOH8H6d
— Anand Nanduri (@NanduriNFL) March 16, 2023
I don’t think Walker was signed to be #2 but rather the #3 QB. Simian is still on the roster. What’s nice is he’s another mobile QB
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) March 16, 2023
Well the Bears won’t be Drafting Bennett in the 7th Round https://t.co/H8uFA3FUC6
— Landlord Dom (@Dom52_J) March 16, 2023
I'm good with this. Better then Peterman. https://t.co/A1h573kFWj
— Evan (@EvanCrum1319) March 16, 2023