Quarterback Will Grier, who declined an offer to join the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff in June to sign with the Carolina Panthers, retired July 15.
The Panthers placed Grier on the reserve/retired list, effectively ending his playing career.
Grier played two regular season games in 2019 with the Panthers, who selected him in the third round (100th overall) out of West Virginia in that year’s NFL draft. He had not made any regular season appearances since then, spending time as a backup with the Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
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According to the Panthers’ website, the Panthers will enter training camp with three QBs — starter Bryce Young, veteran backup Kenny Pickett, and undrafted rookie Haynes King — who were ahead of Grier on their depth chart.
Grier was released by the Cowboys after Dallas signed Sam Howell as a free agent, but had a chance to remain with the organization in a different role.
His brother, Chad Grier, told The Athletic that the Cowboys offered Will a position on Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching staff. Joseph Person reported that Grier “was leaning toward taking it before the Panthers called.”
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The Panthers signed Grier to a one-year deal in April.
Although he was seldom used in the regular season, Grier got plenty of long looks in 17 preseason games from 2019-25.
In 2023, Grier started the Cowboys’ preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. He threw for 305 yards and had four total touchdowns.
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In 2018, Grier’s senior season in college, he finished second in the Big 12, and third in the nation, in passer efficiency rating (175.5).
Grier’s 351.3 yards per game as a senior ranked second among all Division I quarterbacks. His 333.4 yards-per-game average is third in Big 12 history since 1956.
Given his mutual interest in the Cowboys’ offer, Grier figures to coach somewhere sooner rather than later considering his decision to retire.