Former Cowboys quarterback Will Grier is heading right back to Dallas, only this time his next stop is the sideline.
A few days after announcing his retirement, Grier will join the Cowboys as an offensive assistant, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. The move fits with the path Grier had already carved out in Dallas, where he spent two separate stints as a backup quarterback before stepping away from playing.
That connection also came with a strong tie to Dak Prescott. Prescott reacted to Grier’s retirement on Instagram, writing, “Never retired, just switching lanes. Congrats, my brother,” and now the two will be around each other again in a different setting, with Grier joining Brian Schottenheimer’s staff.
For Dallas, the hire brings in someone who knows the building and has lived the backup quarterback life. Grier spent time behind Prescott and Cooper Rush, and Rush’s 2022 run - when he went 4-1 as a starter while Prescott dealt with a thumb injury - pushed Grier further down the depth chart. Trey Lance also entered the mix in 2023, making the competition even tighter.
Grier did have one preseason moment that stood out. Against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, he completed 29 of 35 passes for 358 total yards and four total touchdowns, with two scores through the air and two on the ground.
His second stint with the Cowboys was less stable overall, with Grier mostly bouncing on and off practice squads. Still, the relationship with Prescott remained a real one, and now that bond carries over into coaching.
Schottenheimer will be calling the shots, but Grier’s recent playing experience and familiarity with the organization make him a logical addition as Dallas heads into a new phase. For Grier, it’s a quick pivot from retirement to a role that keeps him close to the quarterback room.
Most fans will still think of him as the West Virginia quarterback who helped fuel one of the most entertaining offenses in recent college football memory. He used to launch 50-yard throws to David Sills and made Dana Holgerson look that much better as a head coach.
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