Former WVU Quarterback Will Grier Among Early Carolina Panthers’ Cuts

Despite a preseason in which former West Virginia quarterback Will Grier seemed to make some strides as a legitimate NFL quarterback, the Carolina Panthers waived him Tuesday morning.

With Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline for all NFL teams rostering just 53 players, it’s judgment day in the NFL, and unfortunately for Grier, Panthers quarterbacks Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker did enough to secure the first- and second-string quarterback slots on the depth chart.

Panthers waive QB Will Grier. pic.twitter.com/dDfYZgJxzK

— NFL (@NFL) August 31, 2021

With Darnold locked in as the No. 1, it was a preseason battle for Walker and Grier to determine the backup, and when Walker started the second half in the Panthers’ final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the writing was on the wall for Grier.

While the Panthers kept three quarterbacks on the roster last season, that won’t be the case this season. Grier’s likely destination this season appears to be destined for a practice squad, whether that’s with the Panthers or somewhere else around the league.

Grier’s lone taste of NFL action in 2019 was a far cry from his college heights, but in three games this preseason, he completed 22 of 31 passing attempts for 222 yards and scored on a highlight rushing touchdown.

With the cut, it’s an unceremonious end for the hometown kid, but he’s still likely to wind up on an NFL team’s roster — likely practice squad.