As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, a number of teams around the league are making some small moves to fill some roster slots, and one such team is the Carolina Panthers, who announced on Tuesday that they've come to terms on a contract with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Will Grier.
A North Carolina native, Grier, for those unaware, was taken by the Panthers in the third round of the 2019 draft at No. 100 overall following a collegiate career that featured two-year stints at both Florida and West Virginia. The Davidson native ultimately made two starts for Carolina as a rookie but lost both and completed just 53.8 percent of his passes for 228 yards with zero touchdowns and four interceptions. And that remains the extent of his regular-season action in the NFL.
Released by the Panthers just ahead of the 2021 season, Grier signed with the Cowboys and spent two years with America's Team before being released ahead of the 2023 campaign after Jerry Jones traded for Trey Lance.
After short runs with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles, Grier returned to Dallas in November 2024 after Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending hamstring injury.
He was released as part of final roster cuts ahead of this past season, but was signed to the practice squad the following day. He was given a futures contract for the 2026 season back in February, but was released on March 12.
Will Grier's Cowboys fate was sealed when the Dallas Cowboys signed Sam Howell
Given his history with the organization, it was basically assumed that Grier would simply resume his regular QB3 role behind Prescott and Joe Milton.
But his fate with America's Team was ultimately sealed when the Cowboys surprisingly signed Sam Howell to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in the early days of free agency. A fifth-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2022, the North Carolina alum spent two seasons in the nation's capital, ultimately starting 18 games, before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
Howell was traded again to the Minnesota Vikings during last year's draft and then again just ahead of this past season to the Philadelphia Eagles. The four-year veteran is expected to compete with Milton for the QB2 slot behind Prescott.
As for Grier, one would assume that he'll be in his normal QB3 slot with the Panthers behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett.
Add us as a preferred source on Google