Will Grier, a former third-round draft pick who spent 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys, is officially done with the NFL, announcing his retirement Wednesday at just 31 years old. What a journey for the journeyman quarterback.
Grier kicked off his pro career back in 2019 when the Carolina Panthers drafted him out of West Virginia. His only two NFL games actually came that rookie season with Carolina, where he got a couple of starts under his belt. Things didn't exactly click: he lost both games, went 28-for-52 passing for 228 yards, threw no touchdowns, and tossed four interceptions. After that, he became quite the traveler, spending time with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys, and then circling back to the Panthers. Talk about putting in the work!
His final stop brought him back to Carolina this offseason, but it was a short reunion. The Panthers noted on their official site, "Will Grier came back to his hometown team three months ago, but his comeback won't continue into training camp. The veteran quarterback has chosen to retire." Dallas had previously cut Grier in March, right before free agency, after he spent last summer on their practice squad and signed a futures contract in February. With Dak Prescott, Joe Milton, and Sam Howell already in Dallas, Grier simply became surplus. The Panthers then placed him on the reserve/retired list on Wednesday.
And just like that, at 31, Grier steps away from the game. He's moving into the next chapter of his life, leaving behind a career where he always pushed to make it work. It shows you how tough it is to stick in this league.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.