Panthers QB makes retirement decision during NFL offseason

The Carolina Panthers have fired off new buzz ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Carolina aims to repeat as NFC South champions in the era of Dave Canales and Bryce Young as head coach and quarterback, respectively. But now Will Grier has left the QB room.

The franchise announced Wednesday that Grier has announced his retirement. Making his decision before the Panthers report to training camp later in July.

Carolina originally drafted him in 2019 before Young’s arrival to the league. Grier landed in Charlotte as a third round selection out of West Virginia. He rose on NFL Draft boards ahead of the ’19 cycle after posting consecutive 30-touchdown seasons for the Mountaineers. He also led the Big 12 Conference in average yards per game with 351.3 during the 2018 season.

Grier struggled in his first Panthers stint, though. He lost both of his starts and never tossed a single touchdown pass, plus got picked off four times.

The 6-foot-2 right-handed passer became a league journeyman from there in landing at these spots in order: Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles from 2021 to 2024. He eventually fell back to Dallas in 2024 and stayed an extra season in 2025.

Carolina lured back Grier in April 2026, which also brought the native of Davidson back home to North Carolina. But now the Panthers become one less a quarterback.

Young remains the proverbial QB1 after taking new steps last season. Former first round selection from Pittsburgh Kenny Pickett rises as the official backup. Undrafted rookie from Georgia Tech Haynes King becomes the third. Carolina revealed King is most likely going to start in the Aug. 6 Pro Football Hall of Fame game versus the Arizona Cardinals.