Bear Digest

Another Bears Backup QB

Panthers backup QB P.J. Walker has signed with the Bears according to an ESPN report.
Gene Chamberlain|
Another Bears Backup QB
Another Bears Backup QB

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Chicago Bears

While Bears receivers and quarterback Justin Fields were getting to know their new teammate D.J. Moore, GM Ryan Poles was at work.

Poles' efforts produced someone Moore knows well from the past three seasons, a potential backup quarterback to Fields.

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker agreed to terms with the Bears according to an ESPN report. Brad Biggs of the Tribune said it was a two-year deal.

Walker, who is 28, is 5-foot-11, 210 pounds. He had been a backup with the Panthers, playing on the same team as Moore since 2020 after he had been an XFL quarterback.

Walker started five games last year as a backup behind Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, who started six each. Walker led Panthers QB starters in completion percentage (59.4) on 63 of 106 for 731 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He came into the season with two NFL games played and has completed 131 of 228 for 57.5% overall with five TDs and 11 interceptions.

Carolina had a 4-3 record when Walker started games.

Walker was the league leader in XFL passing yards while playing for former NFL coach June Jones with 1,338 yards, and also led in passing TDs with 15. He had an XFL passer rating of 104.4, second in the league.

It's unclear whether the Bears intend him to be the backup or to compete for backup with Trevor Siemian. An oblique injury and surgery ended Siemian's 2022 season early but he is still under contract for one season.

While the Bears took care of that business, Moore was getting to know Fields, Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney better. The four attended Wednesday night's Bulls game with Sacramento at United Center.

Already, Moore has his jersey number assigned and gets to keep the No. 2 he had in Carolina. They've taken the No. 2 from kicker Cairo Santos, and assigned him No. 8 going forward.

Poles, Moore and other Bears acquisitions are scheduled to meet with media on Thursday at Halas Hall.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

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