3. P.J. Walker could be the Chicago Bears’ backup
P.J. Walker is a restricted-free agent as well. However, between Walker, Huntley, and Perkins, Walker is the most likely to hit free agency. Walker signed with the Carolina Panthers because he played for Matt Rhule in college.
The Panthers gave him a shot but benched him last season. Now, they have a new coach, and he is a noted quarterback guru who will be bringing in his own guys. They will have no hard feelings about letting P.J. Walker walk this off-season.
For the Chicago Bears, it could be an ideal fit. Walker has seven career starts, and the Panthers are 4-3. That is all you need out of a backup, keep the ship afloat. He has five interceptions on 56 attempts as a rookie in 2020, but after that, his completion rate went up, and his interception rate has gone down.
Beyond that, we have seen him excel in the USFL, although that obviously is not a sign that he will be a good NFL player. Still, all of this points to competence. He has started in the NFL, and got better, he dominated a spring league, and of course, he is the stylistic fit. Walker had six rushes for 39 yards last year and could step in as a backup who can help Justin Fields in the meeting room, but if needed also step in for a game or two and not see the offense change.