From the XFL to the NFL: 4 things to know about Cleveland Browns backup QB P.J. Walker
The Cleveland Browns entered the 2023 season with playoff aspirations and hype to match.
With a revamped defense under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and offensive weapons in the form of running back Nick Chubb and quarterback Deshaun Watson, Cleveland — at least on paper — appeared poised for a winning season.
Then, as Browns fans know all too well, Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury. Watson, while not facing a season-ending injury like Chubb, has been mostly absent from the practice and playing field early in the season nursing an injured throwing shoulder.
Browns injury news: The best way for Cleveland to honor Nick Chubb is to be more like Nick Chubb
With Watson sidelined, Browns backup QBs were forced to step up. But after a trade sending veteran backup Joshua Dobbs to the Arizona Cardinals along with a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick on Aug. 24, rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson stepped in for his first NFL start, which went about as well as any fan could expect.
The Browns clearly felt a different option would be needed, so P.J. Walker was picked up from the practice as a veteran who has at least played in some NFL games.
At the time of writing, Walker has appeared in two games (one start) for the Browns, completing exactly half of his 66 throws for 370 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. The Browns are 2-0 in the games Walker has played in despite the less-than-eye-popping numbers.
If Watson continues to miss time with injury troubles as the season continues, fans will likely see more of Walker moving forward.
Here's what to know about the Browns backup QB:
P.J. Walker starred in the XFL with the Houston Roughnecks
Before ever making it onto the field for an NFL game, Walker established himself as a talented QB in the XFL.
When the XFL returned from a 19-year hiatus in 2020, Walker led an explosive passing attack to a 5-0 record with the Houston Roughnecks before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Walker ranked within the top five in the league in a variety of statistical categories that season, including No. 1 in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Walker turned heads in the XFL, and his performance led to an opportunity in the NFL.
The Carolina Panthers signed P.J. Walker after XFL performance
When the XFL's season was shut down as a result of the pandemic, the Panthers swooped in and signed Walker to a two-year contract.
At the time, Walker had a connection to the Panthers via then-head coach Matt Rhule. Rhule coached Walker during his collegiate stint at Temple, where the current Browns' backup had plenty of success under center.
P.J. Walker's college career at Temple featured record-setting stats
During said time in college at Temple, Walker led the Owls to back-to-back 10-4 seasons. Those seasons tied the mark for the most single-season wins in school history for the football program.
Walker still stands alone in Temple Owls lore as the all-time leader in passing yards (10,668) and passing touchdowns (74).
For added context, those figures aren't particularly close with any of his Temple quarterback contemporaries. Second on the list for Temple in career passing yards is Henry Burris, whose 7,495 passing yards are more than 3,000 fewer than Walker. Burris is also the QB second on the list in passing TDs, but he tossed 49 compared to the gaudy 74 of Walker.
Safe to say Walker remains the best quarterback in Temple Owls history.
The Indianapolis Colts initially signed P.J. Walker as an undrafted free agent in 2017
Back before Walker signed with the XFL and made a name for himself anew with his performance there, the Indianapolis Colts signed Walker as an undrafted free agent in May 2017.
From there, Walker would be waived several times and often re-signed to the Colts practice squad. During his time in Indy, however, Walker never played a snap in an NFL game.
Getting the playing time in the XFL allowed Walker to show what he can do in a game setting, which ultimately led him back to the National Football League.
He eventually had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. In 2022 in Carolina, he started in relief of an injured Baker Mayfield.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How Browns backup QB PJ Walker went from XFL to NFL
