Grier's NFL Journey Concludes
Former West Virginia Star Will Grier Retires From NFL After Seven Seasons
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Key Points
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Grier's College dominance at West Virginia included back-to-back 3,400-plus-yard seasons, with 3,490 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2017 and 3,864 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2018; he also led the Big 12 in average yards per game (351.3) during the 2018 season.
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In the NFL, Grier started two games for the Panthers in 2019 and, despite his college pedigree, did not throw a touchdown pass and was picked off four times, completing 53.8% of his passes.
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Grier returned to the Panthers for a second stint in April 2026 before retiring, rejoining his hometown organization prior to the 2026 season.
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Across his college career at WVU, Grier finished with 7,354 passing yards, 71 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, underscoring the high expectations that followed him into the NFL.
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Grier was selected 100th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft (third round) by the Carolina Panthers.
Will Grier has retired from the NFL after seven seasons, the Carolina Panthers announced. The 31-year-old backup quarterback never found a permanent home in the league, suiting up for six teams without ever throwing a touchdown pass in the regular season. Larry Brown Sports reported that the Panthers placed Grier on the reserve/retired list shortly after his return to the team in April 2026.
Grier's NFL career ended quietly, a sharp contrast to his college stardom. He started just two games in the pros, both in 2019, completing 28 of 52 passes for 228 yards and four interceptions, according to USA Today.
A College Star Who Never Translated to the Pros
At West Virginia, Grier was one of college football's best quarterbacks. In 2017, he threw for 3,490 yards and 36 touchdowns. He followed that in 2018 with 3,864 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading the Big 12 in passing yards per game at 351.3. Over his college career, he totaled 7,354 passing yards, 71 touchdowns and just 20 interceptions, per SI.
Those numbers made Grier a coveted prospect. The Panthers selected him 100th overall in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. But the skills that made him shine in college never carried over. He threw zero touchdown passes in two NFL starts and was picked off four times, finishing with a 53.8% completion rate.
Six Teams, Seven Seasons, Two Career Starts
After his two starts with Carolina in 2019, Grier bounced around the league as a backup. He had stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles. He never started another regular-season game, according to Fresno Bee.
Grier signed back with the Panthers in April 2026, hoping to make a roster one more time. That attempt ended before training camp. His retirement closes a chapter on a career defined by persistence — seven seasons without ever locking down a starting job. It is the story of a journeyman who peaked too early.
Panthers' Quarterback Room Takes Shape Without Grier
Carolina's QB depth chart is now set for the 2026 season. Bryce Young remains the starter after a turbulent stretch with the team. Kenny Pickett slots in as the official backup. Haynes King, an undrafted rookie, rounds out the group as the third option, per SI.
Grier's departure does not leave a major void. He was never projected to compete for a starting role. But it does close a brief homecoming that lasted only weeks. Carolina moves forward with a young, unproven depth chart behind Young heading into the new season.
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