Panthers quarterback Will Grier retires from NFL at 31

A journeyman NFL quarterback is calling it a career. 

Will Grier, 31, was placed on the reserve/retired list Wednesday, according to the Panthers’ team website.

“Retired today,” Grier wrote in a post on Instagram with a salute emoji.

Grier signed a one-year deal to return to the Panthers in April after the Cowboys offered him a coaching spot. In the end, though, he chose to hang up his cleats instead. 

The Charlotte native began his collegiate career at Florida before transferring to West Virginia, where he threw 71 touchdowns and over 7,000 yards in two seasons. 

Will Grier of the Dallas Cowboys runs for yards against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL Preseason 2025 game at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. Getty Images

The Panthers then took a chance on the hometown product in the third round of the 2019 draft, and he served as a third-stringer behind Cam Newton and Kyle Allen as a rookie. 

But an injury to Newton and Allen’s poor play forced Grier into action late in the season. He started two games in 2019, tossing no touchdowns and four interceptions while losing a combined 80-16.

Will Grier of the Carolina Panthers throws the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a NFL preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images

After the Panthers decided to keep just two quarterbacks on their roster, Grier was released before the 2021 season and claimed by the Cowboys.

He then spent time between the Bengals, Patriots, Chargers and Eagles, but couldn’t carve out a starting role. 

Grier’s abrupt retirement leaves the Panthers with Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett and rookie Haynes King as their quarterbacks as training camp begins next week. 

The Panthers won a weak NFC South at 8-9 last season before falling to the Rams in a wild-card round thriller. 

The team begins the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Bears in Charlotte.