4 burning questions Carolina Panthers fans are asking ahead of Week 8

Carolina Panthers trust in P.J. Walker

Why didn’t they let P.J. Walker sling the ball against LA? Lack of faith or lack of preparation? – Landon Wood

Good question, Landon.

I think it was a mix of both the lack of preparation and faith in P.J. Walker‘s ability. I do believe that the biggest reason for the lack of movement on offense throughout that game was simply all the trade rumors and Matt Rhule’s firing.

You knew going into that game that it could be the last for Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey in a Carolina Panthers uniform. Rhule was fired that Monday and didn’t allow the new coaching staff to really mesh together, which led to some miscommunications.

This past week, with Rhule gone, players getting healthy and Anderson plus McCaffrey being sent away to other teams, Steve Wilks and his coaching staff were able to put together a good game plan against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

What we saw from Walker throughout Week 7 is what he can be. He’s got the arm and he certainly has the mobility. I doubt he’s a starter for an entire year for anybody, but the former Temple star certainly has some favorable traits you like to see in today’s quarterback.

Walker produced the most composed performance of his professional career against Tampa Bay. There’s some excitement around that and he definitely had the best game of any quarterback in Carolina not named Cam Newton or Teddy Bridgewater since 2020.

Is the former XFL MVP candidate the answer? No.

Is he a reliable backup? If Walker plays consistent and clean football again this coming weekend, then my answer to that question would be yes.

These next few weeks for Walker will be quite interesting. It would not surprise me to see him starting the rest of the way nor would it shock to see him benched for Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold if he were to struggle.