Seattle Seahawks sign quarterback PJ Walker for 2024 season ahead of minicamp

The Seattle Seahawks signed some additional depth at quarterback this week. Former Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns quarterback P.J. Walker has reportedly signed a deal to join the team ahead of mandatory minicamp, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

The Seahawks are adding Walker to a room with incumbent starter Geno Smith, as well as Sam Howell. Seattle acquired Howell in a draft pick swap with the Washington Commanders in March. The Commanders went on to draft quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick.

Walker, a former undrafted free agent out of Temple, really kicked off his career with the Carolina Panthers after stints with the Indianapolis Colts from 2017-2019. He played for the Panthers for three seasons and made appearances in 15 games. In 2022, he started five games for Carolina. He was part of a rotation at quarterback that the Panthers rolled out along with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.

After Walker’s time with the Panthers was up, he signed with the Chicago Bears but wasn’t on the active roster. The Browns picked him up in September and elevated him to the active roster in October.

Last season for the Browns, Walker ended up playing six games due to an injury to starting quarterback DeShaun Watson. The former Panther had 54 completions on 111 attempts for 674 passing yards and one touchdown. He also threw five interceptions and took 11 sacks. He helped the team beat the San Francisco 49ers in October before also beating the Colts in the same month. The Browns finished the season at 11-6, good for second in the AFC North.

The 2024 season will be Walker’s eighth year in the league. He turned 29 in February. On top of playing in the NFL, Walker has also played in the XFL for the Houston Roughnecks.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially ran out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams had a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams could enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marked the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marked the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hit.In