The Bears have a new backup quarterback behind superstar Justin Fields. On Thursday morning, the team announced they had agreed to terms on a two-year deal with PJ Walker, pending a physical.
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How it fits: Trevor Siemian, the Bears’ backup last year, remains under contract for 2023, and the Bears have kept three quarterbacks all past season. Nathan Peterman was a member of the practice squad before Siemian suffered an oblique injury in warm-ups before the game against the Jets in Week 12. Siemian required surgery and was placed on injured reserve. Peterman then became Fields’ reserve for the rest of the season. He started in Week 17 against the Vikings with Fields injured.
The Bears valued Siemian and Peterman because of their experience with similar offensive schemes. The Bears wanted to surround Fields with as many resources as possible as he learned what offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was riding.
Walker’s experience with new receiver DJ Moore, who was acquired from the Panthers in the blockbuster deal that includes the first pick, may be a factor. They were teammates for three seasons.
Impact 2023: Does Fields need extra help with the Bears quarterback room? Or do the Bears want a better, more dynamic option behind Fields in Walker? Or both?
That depends on what’s next for Simian on a personal level and with the Bears.
It wouldn’t be too expensive to release a Simian company. According to Spotrac, that will only result in $500,000 in cash.
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date: Walker left Temple in 2017 and spent three years with the Colts, primarily on the practice squad, before joining the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL. His last two years at Indianapolis overlapped with head coach Matt Eberflus’ first two years as defensive coordinator.
Walker joined the Panthers in 2020 and made five starts last season, completing 59.4% of his passes (63-for-106) for 731 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He was sacked seven times and had a passer rating of 78.0. The Panthers record 2-3 in games started by Walker. He was a restricted free agent, but the Panthers did not offer him a contract.
cover update: Deals for five free agents — linebackers TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmonds, right guard Nate Davis, linebacker DeMarcus Walker and running back Travis Homer — cut into the Bears’ salary cap space. But they’re still in a position to add more players in free agency if they see fit — and they likely will, especially on defense. The market may favor the bears in the second and third waves of free agency this week and next.
Despite this, the Bears will reserve some cap space for the rookie class and potential additions to tight end Cole Kmet and receiver Darnell Mooney.
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prospects: First and foremost, Walker is here to help Fields. This is the #1 job for a backup quarterback. From Josh McCown to Chase Daniel to Simian, they’ll all tell you so. But at 28, Walker is a much younger backup option than the 31-year-old Siemian. With the addition of Walker, drafting a quarterback late in the third day seemed unlikely. The Bears can take swings at other positions, i.e. their offensive and defensive lines.
(Photo: Bob Donnan/USA Today)
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