CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Panthers are making more changes at quarterback.
A person familiar with the situation says the Panthers have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with former XFL quarterback P.J. Walker of the Houston Roughnecks.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the moves have not been announced by the team since the players have yet to pass physicals.
The decision to add Walker prompted the Panthers to trade Kyle Allen to the Redskins, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because that deal had not been announced. Allen started 12 games last season for the Panthers and went 5-7 as a starter with 23 turnovers and 17 touchdown passes.
The Panthers also announced Monday the signings of three unrestricted free agents as previously reported – linebacker Tahir Whitehead from the Raiders, defensive end Stephen Weatherly from the Vikings and offensive lineman John Miller from the Bengals.
The Panthers have made major changes to their QB room.
Teddy Bridgewater agreed to a three-year, $63 million contract last week to replace Cam Newton, who was given permission by the team to seek a trade. If Newton isn’t traded the team is expected to release him and free up $19 million under the salary cap.
With Allen gone, the only returner is Will Grier, the team’s third-round pick last season who went 0-2 as a starter as a rookie.
Walker joins the Panthers on the first day that XFL players were allowed to sign with NFL teams.
Both Walker and Whitehead played college football at Temple under new Panthers coach Matt Rhule.
The 25-year-old Walker was one of the stars of the XFL and a leading MVP candidate, throwing for 1,338 yards with 15 touchdown passes and four interceptions while leading the Roughnecks to a 5-0 start before the league canceled its season because of the coronavirus outbreak.
While playing under Rhule at Temple, Walker threw for 10,668 yards in four seasons with 74 touchdowns and 44 interceptions before finishing in 2017. He has spent parts of the past three seasons on the Colts practice squad, but has never played a regular-season down in the NFL.
”Couldn’t be happier for (at)XFLRoughnecks PJ Walker,” Roughnecks director of pro personnel Randy Mueller said on Twitter. ”Love to see guys bet on themselves and be rewarded. Easy to root for good people.”
Whitehead is a more proven player. He’s played 125 games with 87 starts and has 633 tackles and five interceptions. He has started 63 of a possible 64 games over the past four seasons with the Lions and Raiders. Last year Whitehead had 108 tackles for the Raiders.
He could help ease the loss of linebacker Luke Kuechly, who announced his retirement after last season.
Outside of the Bridgewater signing, the Panthers have been relatively quiet in free agency, adding mostly lower-priced free agents, while allowing top free agents starters such as defensive end Mario Addison, cornerback James Bradberry, defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe and guard Greg Van Roten to join other teams. Along with Kuechly’s retirement, the team also released tight end Greg Olsen, traded five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner and made the decision to part ways with Newton, the league’s MVP in 2015.
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AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno in Washington contributed to this story.
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More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFL
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