Panthers announce rookie QB Will Grier as team’s starter vs. Colts
It’s official.
After calls for change continued as the Panthers’ losing streak slide to six, the team officially announced Thursday that quarterback Will Grier will start vs. the Colts.
The rookie third-round pick, 100th overall, was the only Panthers’ 2019 draft pick on the roster to not make a start yet this season. He practiced with the first-team each of the last two days. Interim head coach Perry Fewell told the media Wednesday that a decision about the starting quarterback would be shared Thursday, however, a source shared with The Observer Monday that the plan was to go with Grier, a Davidson native.
Grier will be the ninth rookie quarterback to start a game this season.
The move will allow the team to get a look at what Grier can do on the field as the Panthers prepare to head into the offseason with a lot of decisions to be made at the quarterback position. The team can save $19.1 million in cap space by trading or letting Cam Newton go with one year left on his contract.
Kyle Allen’s 2019 season likely comes to a close with a 5-7 starting record after leading the team to four straight wins following their 0-2 start to the year. He has thrown all 15 of his interceptions over the last eight games and has struggled to find consistency with Carolina often down early. The Panthers have only led once in the last five games (vs. Washington).
Allen led the scout team in practice both days.
