P.J. Walker used NFL experience to excel in the XFL

[Sir Purr]

Luck's shoulder injury kept him sidelined for the entire 2017 season, but he was still around the facility, which allowed Walker and Luck to get to know each other. A year later, Walker was around for Luck's last season when he led Indianapolis on a playoff run.


"We had a good relationship," Walker said. "That's one thing, you've got to be really good with being around each other in a group of guys and a room that you're going to be with most of the season, the whole season. So we were all comfortable around each other, we were all good friends, and we came together really well."


But then Luck made the stunning decision to retire last August — a choice that could have put Walker in position to make the active roster as the team's backup to Brissett. Walker displayed some ability during the preseason, but with two interceptions and no touchdowns, the Colts elected to cut him and sign veteran Brian Hoyer to be their backup. Indianapolis also kept Chad Kelly, who served a two-game suspension at the start of the season before heading to the team's practice squad.


"I thought I had an opportunity. But things happened and I just didn't get an opportunity to take full advantage of it," Walker said. "Now I'm just looking forward to going back out there — just getting that opportunity to go out there and compete and show guys what I'm capable of again."


It may not have been against NFL competition, but in many ways, Walker has already done that with his performance in the XFL.


"I played four years in college, and even though college isn't the pros and things like that, even just me going out there, knowing I can do it, knowing I have the ability to do it — it was just a confidence thing," Walker said. "I just went out there and played my game."


That was good enough to garner interest from seven NFL teams, according to Rhule. But Walker's history with the Panthers head coach was certainly one of the key factors in the quarterback choosing to sign with Carolina.


"It was just me being familiar with him and knowing what he likes to do, knowing his style of coaching," Walker said. "I'm just trying to make the most of the opportunity, and this situation was the best for me."