The quarterback throws an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Tremble. There is a 0:23
PJ Walker will remain the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers for Thursday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons despite struggling with what he called "boneheaded mistakes" in the first half of Sunday's loss to the CincinnatiBengals.
Baker will continue to be the backup.
Less than 24 hours after Carolina's 42-21 loss at Cincinnati in which Walker was benched at halftime, interim coach Steve Wilks made the announcement.
If we don't play well, I could bench everyone. We will give PJ the things he needs from a game-plan standpoint so he can execute.
The backup quarterback for the past three weeks has been Baker Mayfield, who has been out with an ankle injury. The decision to stick with Walker means a long term future for the top pick in the draft who was acquired in a July trade with the Cleveland Browns.
There are no plans to try to move anyone right now.
The team would like to get another look at the two rookies, as they are in the last year of their contracts. After losing the starting job to Mayfield in training camp, he injured his ankle and was placed on injured reserve.
The team might release Mayfield in the coming weeks as a result of the decision to start Walker.
The conditions of the trade could play a part in that. If he plays 70% of the offensive snaps, the Carolinas would owe Cleveland a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft. He has played more than 50 percent of the time.
Those suggesting the decision to stick with Walker so Carolina can get the top pick of the 2023 draft to select a franchise quarterback should trust the process. Don't trust my decisions. I'd tell them that. All of us have bad games. PJ was not the only person.
The short week and Walker's performance in the Atlanta game were factors in his decision. Walker completed 19 of 36 pass attempts for 316 yards and a touchdown, including a 62-yarder that tied the game at 34-34 with 12 seconds left in regulation.
The performance of Walker didn't carry over into the first half. He completed only three of 10 pass attempts for 9 yards and a 0.0 passer rating.
In the second half, he completed 16 of 20 pass attempts for 155 yards and two touchdown, but that didn't get him the nod over Walker.
His best performance of the season was against the Bengals. He had a 15.3 Total QBR, which was the worst since the first five games.
As well as being a healthy backup the past three games, he has handled the decision to stick with Walker just as well.
"We talked like men,'' he said. I said what I thought. I think Baker is similar to Sam. Everyone wants to start. Everyone wants to play. He will continue to be a pro.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
