The Carolina Panthers have a new QB.
The Carolina Panthers have added a new QB.
The team agreed to terms with quarterback Will Grier.
Grier, 31, was originally a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2019.
Grier was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. He's also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles. The two games he appeared in as a rookie are the extent of his game action.
Grier will be the Panthers' No. 3 QB behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett.
Grier has 228 passing yards and four interceptions with the Panthers. He was born and raised in Davidson, North Carolina.
Panthers general manager Dan Morgan met with reporters last week and he provided a huge update on Young's fifth-year option. Young's fifth-year option will be picked up after the 2026 NFL Draft.
"We'll get that done once he gets back in the building," Morgan said.
Young is set to make $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed $25.9 million once exercised.
Young finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
The Panthers lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the 2026 playoffs' wild-card round at home. Young played well in his playoff debut. The youngster had 264 passing yards, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown.
Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform. He's 14-30-0 as a starter.
Even though the Panthers made the playoffs last season, all signs point toward Young not getting an extension this offseason. He just hasn't been consistent enough to warrant big money.
Carolina VP of football operations Brandt Tilis said last month that extension talks haven't taken place with Young and his camp.
"Nothing's changed. I got the eval right. He was ascending. So, nailed that. I was happy about that," Tilis said, via The Athletic. "But we haven't had any discussions with his agent about a contract. And any that we would have, we would just keep internal anyway. It's still the same. Still evaluating and just curious to see where it all goes and very excited about Bryce and all that he brings to us."
If Young plays well in 2026, he will probably get an extension next offseason.
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