The Panthers began the second week of free agency Monday by making two significant signings.
Carolina signed XFL quarterback P.J Walker and former Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead, per a source with knowledge of the situation.
Both players spent their college careers at Temple and worked under new Panthers coach Matt Rhule. Whitehead was at the school from 2008-11 when Rhule was quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator (2008-10) before becoming offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2011. Walker played under Rhule from 2013-16, the entire duration of Rhule's tenure as head coach at Temple.
Monday was the first day that NFL teams were able to sign XFL players. According to multiple reports, there were many teams interested in signing Walker, including the Seahawks and Cardinals. Walker excelled in the XFL with the 5-0 Houston Roughnecks, leading the league and throwing for 1,338 yards, 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He was the league's likely MVP before the rest of the season was canceled last week due to coronavirus concerns.
Walker became the first XFL player signed by an NFL team this year. He also previously spent time on the Colts practice squad. Teams could begin signing players from the XFL at 9 a.m. Monday.
He will join the competition to be the team's backup quarterback behind Teddy Bridgewater. When the Panthers officially move on from Cam Newton in the coming weeks, Walker, Kyle Allen and last year's third-round draft pick, Will Grier, will be competing for the job.
Whitehead was released by the Raiders earlier this month after starting at linebacker the last two seasons. The Panthers signed the almost 30-year old to a one-year deal. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Lions after they drafted him in the fifth-round of the 2012 NFL draft. Whitehead has had 100-plus tackles each of the last four years.
He has been a consistent player throughout his career, playing 16 in games all but one season since 2013 and has started 48 of 48 games over the last three years. Whitehead will likely fill the middle linebacker spot for the Panthers. He did not have a single sack, interception or forced fumble in 2019.
After Vontaze Burfict was suspended for the 2019 season following Week 5, Whitehead became the defensive playcaller for the Raiders and was in the middle of their 4-3 base defense. It wouldn't be a surprise at to see him take over the a similar roll with the Panthers.
The Panthers have now signed three players in free agency that played at Temple with Whitehead and Walker joining former Saints WR Keith Kirkwood.
