Will Grier, the talented quarterback who once lit up the college football scene for the West Virginia Mountaineers, has decided to hang up his cleats after a seven-year journey in the National Football League.
The announcement came from the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, marking the end of a professional career defined by perseverance, frequent team changes, and limited opportunities on the field.
At 31 years old, Grier originally entered the league as a third-round draft pick by the Panthers in 2019, selected 100th overall. As a hometown product from Davidson, North Carolina, he began his NFL path with high expectations.
However, his playing time proved scarce. During his rookie season, he earned two starts, completing 28 of 52 passes for 228 yards while throwing four interceptions and no touchdowns. Both games resulted in defeats, setting a challenging tone for his time in Charlotte.
After being released by the Panthers ahead of the 2021 campaign, Grier signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He split time between the practice squad and active roster over the next couple of seasons, showcasing his dedication to staying ready.
His release from Dallas after the 2023 preseason launched a period of movement across several organizations. In 2023 alone, he spent time on the practice squads of the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Chargers, even seeing a brief stint on the Chargers’ active roster.
The following year brought another opportunity with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he again joined the practice squad. Mid-season, the Cowboys brought him back, promoting him to the active roster. He remained with Dallas through 2025 on the practice squad before another release early in 2026.
Remarkably, the Panthers gave him one final chance heading into the upcoming season, positioning him in a crowded quarterback room alongside starter Bryce Young, veteran Kenny Pickett, and rookie Haynes King. Yet, just days before training camp, Grier chose to step away from the game.
While his NFL résumé features stints with six different franchises and minimal game action, Grier’s legacy shines brightest from his college days. Though he started his collegiate career at the University of Florida, it was his two seasons in Morgantown that cemented his place among West Virginia’s all-time greats. In 22 games wearing the blue and gold, he delivered impressive efficiency, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 7,354 yards, 71 touchdowns, and just 20 interceptions. He also contributed five rushing scores.
Grier’s 2018 senior season stood out particularly, earning him serious Heisman Trophy consideration and a fourth-place finish in the voting. His records with the Mountaineers remain notable: third in career passing yards and second in passing touchdowns. He also ranks highly in several single-season and single-game categories. Under his leadership, West Virginia posted a 15-7 record in games he started.
Grier’s decision to retire comes at a time when many players reflect on the physical and mental demands of professional football. Though he never secured a long-term starting role in the NFL, his story reflects the realities faced by countless backups and practice squad veterans who grind behind the scenes.
For Mountaineer fans, he will always be remembered as one of the program’s most dynamic signal-callers, whose arm talent and competitiveness brought excitement to the field in Morgantown.
As he transitions to the next chapter, Grier leaves behind a career marked by resilience and a deep connection to his college roots. Fans and teammates alike will likely wish him well in whatever path he chooses ahead.
