Who is the starting QB for Carolina Panthers tonight vs. Falcons on TNF?
The Carolina Panthers' quarterback situation has been a topsy-turvy ride since 2018. Cam Newton's injury issues meant the team had to field three different starting quarterbacks during the 2019 season. Kyle Allen started 12 games, Will Grier featured in a couple, while Newton was the starter in two.
The team let Newton leave for the New England Patriots in 2020 and gave the keys to the offense to Teddy Bridgewater, who started 15 games. PJ Walker made one start. The Panthers traded for New York Jets star Sam Darnold during the 2021 offseason, but injuries and poor form meant the team had to bring back Cam Newton. The franchise legend started five games, while Darnold took the first snap in 11. Walker featured as the starter in one game.
During the 2022 offseason, the team landed the former first overall draft pick Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns via trade and was named the starting quarterback. But poor form and the injury bug struck the quarterback, and he was relegated to the bench. In his absence, PJ Walker has stepped in, started four games, and established himself as the team's starting quarterback.
Walker will take the Panthers' first offensive snap on Thursday Night Football against the Falcons tonight.
PJ Walker 2022 stats for Panthers
Walker has started four games this season and hasn't been particularly impressive. He has attempted 90 passes and completed 53 for 623 yards. He has thrown three touchdowns and three interceptions and has a passer rating of just 77.2.
Walker had the best game of his career against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. He threw for 317 passing yards and one touchdown in a narrow 37-34 loss against the Falcons. The game's highlight was his incredible hail mary to DJ Moore that saw the Panthers level the scores with seconds left.
PJ WALKER JUST DID THAT. HAIL MARY TO DJ MOORE. https://t.co/dDYwoZhaGG
But a missed PAT sent the game into overtime, where the Falcons kicked the game-winning field goal to win the game. Walker was benched during Carolina's Week 9 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals after he completed only three of his ten pass attempts and tossed two interceptions.
But with Mayfield sidelined, Walker will get the start against the Falcons tonight.