Former NFL QB Will Grier Says Goodbye to Football at Age 31

What Happened?

Will Grier is a former star college football player (a "quarterback" — the person who throws the ball) for the West Virginia Mountaineers. He also played a tiny bit in the NFL (the big professional football league in the U.S.). At the age of 31, he decided to stop playing football for good.

• He played only two games in the NFL.
• He made his retirement announcement on Wednesday using his social media.
• The Carolina Panthers (one of the NFL teams) also shared a news story about his decision.

Important Point: You can now listen to Fox News articles! This means you can hear this story read out loud instead of reading it.

How Did He Share the News?

Grier kept it super simple. On his Instagram (a popular app for sharing photos and messages), he wrote:

"Retired today."

The Carolina Panthers posted their own story about his choice, too.

What Was He Doing Before Retiring?

Here is what was going on right before he walked away:

1. He signed a contract (a work agreement) with the Carolina Panthers in April.
2. He was reportedly offered a coaching opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys (another NFL team) — that means a chance to help teach players instead of playing.
3. Even with those options, he decided to leave the game completely.

Friends Showed Support

Grier shared nice messages on his Instagram Stories (short posts that disappear after a day). Some fellow quarterbacks paid tribute to him:

• Dak Prescott wrote: "Never retired, just switching lanes. Congrats my brother."
• Jake Ferguson also shared support.
• Kenny Pickett did the same.

A Quick Look at His Football Journey

Let’s break down his career like a simple timeline:

• He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Florida Gators.
• The Carolina Panthers picked him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft (a yearly event where teams choose new players).
• He later spent time with several teams:
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • New England Patriots
  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Philadelphia Eagles
• His only two NFL games were with the Panthers during his first year.
• In his whole NFL career, he had:
  • 228 passing yards (how far he threw the ball)
  • 4 interceptions (times the other team caught his throw)

What Happens to the Panthers Now?

Because Grier is gone, the Carolina Panthers now have three quarterbacks as they head into camp (practice time before the season):

• Kenny Pickett
• Bryce Young
• Haynes King

Summary

Will Grier, a 31-year-old former college star and brief NFL player, retired from football. He announced it on Instagram, turned down a possible coaching job with the Cowboys, and got sweet goodbyes from quarterback friends like Dak Prescott. He only played two NFL games ever, and the Panthers now move forward with three other quarterbacks.

FAQ

Q: Who is Will Grier?
A: He is a former quarterback who played college football for West Virginia and Florida, and briefly in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers and other teams.

Q: Why did he retire?
A: He announced on social media that he retired at age 31. He had signed with the Panthers and was offered a coaching job with the Cowboys but chose to leave the sport altogether.

Q: How many NFL games did he play?
A: Only two games, both during his first year with the Carolina Panthers.

Q: What did his friends say?
A: Quarterbacks like Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson, and Kenny Pickett shared supportive messages. Prescott said he was "just switching lanes" instead of retiring.

Q: Who is left at quarterback for the Panthers?
A: Kenny Pickett, Bryce Young, and Haynes King.