Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Will Grier has retired from the NFL at the age of 31. Grier made the announcement on Instagram on July 16, posting a statement with three photos from his college and professional career captioned, "Retired today."
Grier was originally selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played in two regular-season games during his rookie season and subsequently joined several other teams in backup roles, including the Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Following his announcement, Grier received numerous supportive comments from current and former teammates. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who played with Grier in Carolina, called him a "legend" and praised his "sickest way to retire."
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson thanked Grier for throwing him his first NFL pass in a preseason game, stating it "Changed my life." Davis Webb, offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, also offered congratulations, describing Grier as a "Hell of a QB, even better dude."
Grier's retirement comes shortly before the Panthers are scheduled to begin training camp on July 21 in preparation for the upcoming season. The Panthers' current quarterback roster includes starter Bryce Young, backup Kenny Pickett, and third-stringer Haynes King. The team is set to open their 2026 season on September 13 against the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.