Will Grier Bio
Will Grier, born William Grier, is an American professional football quarterback who currently plays for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds, Grier has built his career as a journeyman signal-caller known for his arm talent and preparation. He played college football for the Florida Gators and West Virginia Mountaineers before being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. Over the years, Grier has spent time with several NFL organizations, contributing in practice squad and backup roles across the league.
Early Life and Background
Will Grier was born on April 3, 1995, in Davidson, North Carolina. He is the oldest child of Chad Grier and Elizabeth Grier-Floyd. His father, Chad Grier, is a football coach and a former quarterback for the East Carolina Pirates, which gave Will an early and lasting connection to the sport. Grier has two brothers, Nash and Hayes, a half-sister named Skylynn Elizabeth Floyd, and a half-brother, John Henry “Hank” Grier.
For his high school years, Grier attended SouthLake Christian Academy in Huntersville, North Carolina, before transferring to Davidson Day School in Davidson. As a junior, he threw for a national record 837 yards in a single game, breaking the previous record of 764. During his senior year, he produced 4,989 passing yards with a North Carolina state record 77 touchdowns, and he added 1,251 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns on the ground. Grier finished his high school career with 14,565 passing yards, a state record 195 touchdown passes, 2,955 rushing yards, and 31 rushing touchdowns, earning recognition as the Parade All-American Player of the Year and Mr. Football USA.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school, Grier was rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and was ranked as the second best dual-threat quarterback and the 46th player overall in his class. He received scholarship offers from Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wake Forest before committing to play quarterback at the University of Florida. That decision launched a college path that would carry him through two Football Bowl Subdivision programs and a national award.
Will Grier Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Grier competed at the University of Florida in 2014 and 2015. As a freshman, he redshirted while competing with Treon Harris to back up Jeff Driskel. The following season, he split early reps with Harris before taking over as the starter. On October 3, 2015, against the Ole Miss Rebels, he delivered the best performance of his young career, completing 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns in a 38–10 win.
Later that season, Grier received a one-year suspension after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ligandrol. After an appeal was denied, he announced his transfer to West Virginia University in April 2016, where he sat out the 2016 season under NCAA transfer rules. In 2017, he took over as the Mountaineers’ starter and was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. The next season, he led West Virginia to an 8–3 regular season record and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. He closed his college career as the winner of the 2018 Senior CLASS Award for FBS football.
Carolina Panthers Era (2019–2020)
Grier was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round, 100th overall, in the 2019 NFL draft. He spent his rookie year as the third-string quarterback behind Cam Newton and Kyle Allen. On December 16, 2019, the Panthers announced Grier would make his first career start in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts. He threw for 224 yards and three interceptions in a 38–6 loss, then exited the Week 17 finale against the New Orleans Saints with a foot injury.
In 2020, new head coach Matt Rhule signed Teddy Bridgewater as the starting quarterback, and Grier slipped to third on the depth chart behind P. J. Walker. He did not appear in a game that season and was declared inactive for nine of the final 11 contests. In August 2021, after Carolina traded for Sam Darnold, Grier was released.
Dallas Cowboys (First Stint, 2021–2022)
On September 1, 2021, the Dallas Cowboys claimed Grier off waivers to serve as the third-string quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush. He was inactive for 16 games and was activated for the season finale without playing. In 2022, he was waived and signed to the practice squad before being elevated three times and later promoted to the active roster in October to back up Rush while Prescott recovered from a thumb injury. Grier did not see game action that year and was inactive for the final 11 weeks.
Journeyman Years (2023–2024)
Grier bounced across the league beginning in August 2023. He was released by the Cowboys, then signed with the practice squad of the Cincinnati Bengals on August 30, 2023. On September 22, 2023, the New England Patriots signed him off the Bengals’ practice squad. He was waived on November 25 and re-signed three days later. On December 18, 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers signed him to back up Easton Stick after Justin Herbert was placed on injured reserve with a broken finger.
On March 23, 2024, Grier signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to reunite with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. He was released in late August, signed to the practice squad, and released again on November 7, 2024.
Dallas Cowboys (Second Stint, 2024–2025) and Return to Carolina
On November 12, 2024, Grier returned to the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025. On August 26, 2025, he was released as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On February 2, 2026, he signed a reserve or futures contract with Dallas before being released on March 12, and on April 21, 2026, the Carolina Panthers brought him back as a free agent.
Notable Events and Milestones
Grier holds the North Carolina high school record for single-season passing touchdowns, a list he set in 2013 at Davidson Day School. He also owns the national high school record for passing yards in a single game. In the NFL, his most notable first was a Week 16 start for the Panthers against the Indianapolis Colts in 2019.
Will Grier Career Wins
Team Highlights
Will Grier has notched limited regular-season action as an NFL quarterback, with the bulk of his team contributions coming from the practice squad and backup roles. His most prominent league appearance was his 2019 Week 16 start for the Panthers, and he has also held backup depth roles with the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers during multiple seasons.
College Highlights
At West Virginia, Grier guided the Mountaineers to an 8–3 regular season in 2018 and was invited to the Camping World Bowl. He finished that year with 3,864 passing yards and 37 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Across his college career, he earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2017 and second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2018.
Will Grier Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Will Grier comes from a family with deep football ties. His father, Chad Grier, is a football coach and a former East Carolina Pirates quarterback, which helped shape Will’s early development at the quarterback position. His mother is Elizabeth Grier-Floyd, and he has brothers Nash and Hayes, half-sister Skylynn Elizabeth Floyd, and half-brother John Henry “Hank” Grier. Several of his younger siblings, including Nash, Hayes, and Skylynn, became well-known users of the now-defunct video platform Vine.
Personal Life
Will Grier is married to Jeanne Marie O’Neil. The couple has two daughters. He is originally from the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, and his family continues to play a central role in his life as he moves between NFL rosters.
2025 Season Performance
Will Grier’s 2025 season was largely spent on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, with brief elevation opportunities but no regular appearances. He was released as part of final roster cuts in late August and returned to the practice squad the following day, a familiar pattern from his Cowboys tenure.
His primary value to the Cowboys came as experienced quarterback depth behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush, supporting the room during a long regular season and postseason run. Grier’s arm talent and familiarity with the offensive system made him a steady insurance policy, even if his statistical impact stayed limited.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season reinforced Grier’s standing as a reliable veteran reserve. The lessons and reps of another year in the Dallas quarterback room should position him well for his next opportunity, whether back in Dallas, with the Carolina Panthers, or on another NFL roster.