Seattle Seahawks helmet (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks have added a veteran quarterback to their roster ahead of mandatory minicamp that begins next week.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider announced that the team has signed veteran quarterback PJ Walker, adding insurance behind starter Geno Smith and second-stringer Sam Howell.
The 29-year-old signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2017, but the Temple product didn’t play a single game with them. He joined the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and appeared in 15 games (seven starts) over his three seasons there.
Walker went 4-3 as the Panthers’ starting quarterback, tossing 1,461 yards and five touchdowns against 11 interceptions. This included a 21-3 blowout win over Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 of the 2022 season.
reminder: new Seahawks QB PJ Walker has a cannon 🚀
pic.twitter.com/LOy6NWNobq— NFL (@NFL) June 6, 2024
Many wondered if the Seattle Seahawks would draft a quarterback this year, but they decided to run it back with Smith. They replaced backup Drew Lock (signed with the New York Giants), with Howell, who was acquired in a trade with the Washington Commanders.
Walker started two games for the Cleveland Browns last season in place of an injured Deshaun Watson. He went 1-1 and had one touchdown vs. five interceptions in six game appearances.
Seattle Seahawks Shore Up QB Depth Chart
As the San Francisco 49ers showed with Brock Purdy in 2022 (following season-ending injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance), you can never have too much quarterback depth in the NFL.
Teams can never predict injuries to players, nor can they forecast when their QB1 and/or QB2 may decline in production. The Seahawks managed to turn Smith’s career around, so who’s to say they couldn’t make it worth with PJ Walker if he’s thrust into the starting job?
It’s a no-risk signing for the Seahawks, who now carry three QBs on their roster heading into mandatory minicamp.
