Will Grier, a journeyman NFL quarterback who previously played for the Carolina Panthers, announced his retirement Wednesday at the age of 31. Grier confirmed his decision in an Instagram post, stating simply, "Retired today."
Grier signed a one-year contract to return to the Panthers in April. He had also reportedly received a coaching offer from the Cowboys, but ultimately chose to end his playing career.
The Charlotte native began his college football career at the University of Florida before transferring to West Virginia University. In two seasons with the Mountaineers, Grier threw for over 7,000 yards and 71 touchdowns.
The Panthers drafted Grier in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he served as a third-string quarterback behind Cam Newton and Kyle Allen. However, injuries to Newton and inconsistent play from Allen led to Grier starting two games late in the season. During those starts, he recorded no touchdowns and four interceptions, with the team losing both games by significant margins.
After the Panthers opted to carry only two quarterbacks on their roster, Grier was released prior to the 2021 season and subsequently claimed by the Dallas Cowboys. He also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles, but was unable to secure a starting position with any of those teams.
Grier's retirement leaves the Panthers with Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett, and rookie Haynes King as their quarterback options heading into training camp. The Panthers finished the previous season with an 8-9 record, winning the NFC South, before losing in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The team is scheduled to begin its regular season on September 13 against the Chicago Bears.