Bengals to Sign Will Grier to Practice Squad

Well, that didn’t take long. Will Grier already has a new NFL team.

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed the former Mountaineer signal caller to their practice squad. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first with the news early Wednesday morning.

Former Cowboys’ QB Will Grier — who threw for 305 yards and ran for 45 more in his final game with Dallas — is signing with the Bengals’ practice squad, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2023

Cincinnati signing Grier comes the morning after he was officially released by the Dallas Cowboys, the franchise he’s been with since 2021. Despite a solid preseason, Will Grier found himself without a job after the Cowboys cut down their roster.

The Cowboys actually told Grier he would not be on the team moving forward the day before he took the field to start Dallas’ final preseason game. Grier put up one the best performances of his professional career in his Cowboys farewell. He completed 29 out of 35 passes for 305 yards with two touchdown passes while playing the entire game. He also ran for 53 yards and scored two more touchdowns with his legs.

Dallas made the decision to part ways with Grier once owner Jerry Jones pulled the trigger on a trade for Trey Lance. The Cowboys couldn’t resist the chance to add a former first round pick to their quarterback room, even if he’s likely going to be a project. This made Grier the odd man out behind starter Dak Prescott and backup Cooper Rush.

Cincinnati became a team interested in securing a veteran on their roster after All-Pro quarterback Joe Burrow went down with an injury training camp. Burrow is expected to be back in acton this season, but any setback to Burrow could open up the door for Grier to be made active and maybe even be under center for at team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Grier opened up with Sports Illustrated’s Cowboys FanNation site about a tough 72 hours that taught forced him to endure a series of emotions.

Will Grier Remains Confident, Staying Motivated After Tough Exit from Cowboys

The 28-year-old admitted he was extra motivated to prove he belongs in the NFL on Saturday when he started a game that was going to result in him being released no matter how it played out.

“I was motivated, but it was a tough situation,” Grier said. “I just relied on the fact that I know how to play football and I’m good at it, so that’s what I did. At the end of the day, it’s a numbers thing and it’s part of the job I signed up for. I’ve been through harder things and I’ll rebound and be just fine.”