Will Grier claimed by new team on waivers, Panthers cut a WR bring in offensive guard

Quarterback and Charlotte-area native Will Grier has found a new home.

About 24 hours after the Panthers waived him, the Dallas Cowboys picked him up on the waiver wire Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Panthers claimed former Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard Michael Jordan. The Bengals took Jordan in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Ohio State.

To make room on the roster for Jordan, the Panthers released veteran wide receiver David Moore, who was signed to a two-year, $4.75 million contract this offseason. Moore was down the depth chart at wide receiver, but was one of the team’s top punt returners, along with rookie Shi Smith, who is out two-to-three weeks with a shoulder injury.

Why the Panthers moved on from Moore

The team will save $990,000 against the cap in 2021 and $2.5 million next year, per Overthecap.

“We saw Michael Jordan on the wire, and we really liked him,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday. “Former fourth-round pick, so we wanted to go with five receivers. .. And Terrace has really come on and we feel good about Shi (Smith) once he gets healthy.

“I just think it was ‘Hey, let’s pick the best five for us right now.’”

With Smith likely missing the season opener and potentially Week 2, Rhule said the Panthers are looking at DJ Moore, Brandon Zylstra and C.J. Saunders to return punts. Saunders would have to be activated from the practice squad.

He added that they will continue to look for other options around the league as teams make moves.

A ‘great situation’ for Grier

The Panthers drafted Grier in the third round in 2019 before parting ways with him Tuesday. He had spent the last two seasons as their third-string quarterback.

The former Davidson Day star started two games for the Panthers at the end of the 2019 season but had disastrous performances. He completed 53.8% of his passes and threw four interceptions.

He played well this preseason. When Rhule asked Wednesday whether Grier was a possibility for the practice squad, had he not been claimed in waivers, he did not say.

“I want to make sure I say this: We would have loved to have Will still here,” Rhule said. “I can’t say enough about who is he and wanted to make sure he did the best for him in terms of finding the best situation. Obviously, he got claimed, so he’s in a great situation ... He’s on the active roster.”

This story was originally published September 1, 2021 at 12:35 PM.