Popular Ex-Cowboys Preseason Star Abruptly Cut by Lowly Patriots

The last time former Cowboy running back Will Grier was seen on the football field, he was wearing a Dallas uniform, and his performance under very strange circumstances was truly remarkable. Earlier on August 26, the Cowboys and 49ers agreed to trade third overall pick Trey Lance. This means Grier knew his time in Dallas was coming to an end. But that was his last time with the team during offseason practices, training camp and preseason games. Against the Raiders, Grier shined in the preseason finale in Dallas, rushing for 305 yards and posting an 82.8 completion percentage. He also had two rebounds in the game.

He has earned the respect of his Dallas teammates, almost as much as their star quarterback Dak Prescott. “Honestly, my heart and mind is with Will Grier right now,” Prescott said of the Lance trade after the Cowboys’ preseason finale. “Honestly, it’s a difficult situation. I love that guy over there. He plays hard, comes in and prepares the right way every day.”

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that’s why it’s strange to see the Patriots quarterback’s incompetence, as the Cowboys watched up close in Week 4 and New England cut ties with Grier. As Schefter tweeted/X: “Patriots QB news: New England waives quarterback Will Grier, per source.”

Former Cowboy tight end Will Grier has yet to get an opportunity in the NFL.

While the Patriots’ Week 12 starting decision remains a difficult one, this news is a major setback for Will Grier. Will Grier will have to figure out what he needs to do to get a legitimate opportunity in the NFL if he can’t beat his previous two opportunities. He is on the Patriots depth chart.

Grier was a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2019 and started Carolina’s final two games that season. This game was not good. Grier completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 228 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions. He was also sacked six times.

To be fair to Grier, Cam Newton was injured that year and the Panthers were awful, ending the year with a seven-game losing streak. Grier appears to have settled into a new and more secure role as backup to Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush in Dallas.

The Cowboys remember their former backup fondly.

But the Lance trade derailed that, and events in New England disappointed Cowboys fans eager to see how Grier would capitalize on his playing opportunities, especially with the Giants’ weak schedule. patriot. . Grier signed with Cincinnati after the Cowboys cut him, but remained on the practice squad until the Patriots placed him on their 53-man roster in September. The Bengals, who lost Joe Burrow this offseason, could be the team to give Will Grier a shot. Regardless, he made an impact in Dallas, if not elsewhere. Coach Mike McCarthy said on the day of the preseason finale/Tre Lance trade: “As soon as I got the call, I called Will right away. I asked him to go out and have fun tonight. It was a great opportunity and the team supported it. I’m proud of him.”