The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back a familiar face, signing quarterback Will Grier to a futures contract for the 2026 season. It’s a move that doesn’t make headlines on its own, but it’s the kind of depth-building decision that can matter come training camp.
For those unfamiliar, a futures contract is essentially an offseason invite. It gives players a shot to compete for a roster spot during workouts and camp, without counting against the current active roster. It’s a way for teams to invest in potential - and in Grier’s case, it’s another opportunity to prove he still belongs in the league’s quarterback conversation.
Grier, now 30, has had one of those NFL journeys that’s more winding than straight. Drafted in the third round back in 2019 - 100th overall - by the Carolina Panthers after a standout career at West Virginia, he entered the league with plenty of upside.
But his rookie season didn’t go as planned. Grier started two games that year, completing 28 of 52 passes for 228 yards, with no touchdowns and four interceptions.
He also added 22 yards on the ground. It was a rough introduction to the pro game, and the Panthers eventually moved on.
That opened the door for Dallas, who claimed Grier after Carolina waived him. He spent the rest of that season with the Cowboys, showing enough to stick around through the following offseason. But after the 2022 preseason, Dallas waived him again - only to bring him back to the practice squad, and later promote him to the active roster during the season.
The pattern continued in 2023. Grier was part of final roster cuts and again found himself on the move.
He joined the Bengals’ practice squad, then headed to New England, where the Patriots added him to their own practice unit. The Chargers later claimed him, but he never saw game action in Los Angeles.
Most recently, Grier signed a one-year deal with the Eagles before landing back in Dallas on the practice squad. Now, with this futures deal, he’s officially back in the Cowboys’ quarterback room - at least for the offseason.
It’s been a nomadic few years for Grier, bouncing between teams and practice squads, but that persistence is part of what keeps players like him in the league. He’s still got a live arm, a solid football IQ, and experience in multiple systems - all traits that make him a valuable depth option, especially in a league where quarterback injuries can change a team’s season in a snap.
This futures deal doesn’t guarantee a roster spot, but it does give Grier another shot to compete. And if there’s one thing he’s shown over the years, it’s that he’s not afraid to battle for his place.