Panthers’ inspiring QB story retires after 9 seasons of pro football originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
He wasn’t supposed to ever be an NFL starting quarterback, but P.J. Walker didn’t settle.
He eventually became one of the laegue’s coolest stories, including a couple heroic moments for the Carolina Panthers.
His story as a professional quarterback has ended. Walker is retiring.
His highlight moment remains this miraculous, game-winning throw to D.J. Moore for the Panthers:
Former NFL and XFL QB PJ Walker is retiring from football after nine seasons.
Walker spent time with the Panthers, Bears, Browns, and Seahawks during his NFL career. pic.twitter.com/2vRMmfG3BT
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 30, 2026
MORE: Diego Pavia, Shedeur Sanders and an NFL QB problem that goes back to Tim Tebow
Walker played his college football at Temple, but he went undrafted.
The Indianapolis Colts signed him, and he was on and off their roster over the next couple seasons.
Walker got his big break with the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL, where he was dominant in the 2020 season before signing with the Panthers — to play for his former Temple coach, Matt Rhule.
Walker started seven games for the Panthers over three seasons, going 4-3. He threw five touchdowns with Carolina.
He would then play for the Cleveland Browns in 2023, splitting his two starts.
Walker’s final football playing ends up being with Calgary in the Canadian Football League in 2025. He started just a single game, a loss, and threw two touchdowns over the course of the season.
Now, the 31-year old Walker moves on to the next chapter of his story.