The Calgary Stampeders have signed quarterback P.J. Walker, bringing aboard a signal-caller who made his mark in spring football before reaching the NFL. Walker’s most notable success came in the XFL, where he emerged as the league’s top quarterback during its pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

As the face of the Houston Roughnecks, Walker led his team to a perfect 5-0 record and was the XFL’s leading passer with 1,338 yards and 15 touchdowns when COVID-19 forced the league to suspend operations. His electric play in the XFL earned him an NFL opportunity, where he would go on to appear in 21 games with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns between 2020-2023.

“Calgary is a beautiful city with a great football culture and a great fanbase,” said Walker. “The opportunity to continue to grow as a player and compete helped me make my decision to sign with the Stampeders.”

The Stampeders acquired Walker’s negotiation rights from the Toronto Argonauts in late September, and he spent three weeks on Calgary’s practice roster at the end of the 2024 season, giving him valuable time to acclimate to the Canadian game.

“We made the trade for P.J. for a reason,” said Stampeders general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson. “We’re doing everything we can to make our team better and that includes having a strong quarterback room. P.J. is going to be a big part of that.”

Before his professional career, Walker starred at Temple University, where he set school records for completions (830), passing yards (10,668), and touchdown passes (74). Following his NFL stint with the Browns, he had a brief stop with the Seattle Seahawks before being released prior to the 2024-25 season.

The 5-foot-11, 221-pound Elizabeth, N.J., native brings his family to Calgary, as his wife and young daughter joined him during his practice roster stint with the team last fall. Terms of his contract with the Stampeders have not been disclosed.