Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker lit up the XFL, catching the eye of football fans and NFL teams. Now with the XFL season suspended, the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos are reportedly inquiring with the Roughnecks to express their interest in Walker.
While XFL permitted players to sign with NFL teams immediately, the NFL told its clubs that they are prohibited from contacting players still under XFL contracts. However, the league is working to finalize a procedure that would allow NFL teams to sign XFL players since the season is over.
The Seahawks sent scouts to watch P.J. Walker in his final XFL game with the Roughnecks on March 7. The 25-year-old quarterback delivered another strong performance with NFL eyes on him, completing 27-of-38 attempts for 351 passing yards and three touchdowns. Walker carried Houston to a 5-0 record, the only undefeated team in the XFL, while leading the league in passing yards (1,338), touchdowns (15) and completions (119).
Walker caught the eye of the Pittsburgh Steelers before the XFL season even began, but they were blocked from signing him by the XFL due to league rules. He only improved his stock as the XFL MVP and demonstrated the special dual-threat ability that makes him an NFL-caliber quarterback.
After spending two seasons in the NFL on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad, where he learned from Andrew Luck and Jacoby Brissett, it’s clear Walker will be headed for an even better opportunity once he’s allowed to sign with an NFL team.