Quarterback Will Grier signs with Chargers from Patriots practice squad
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Will Grier has signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after a stint on the New England Patriots’ practice squad, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. After his release from the Cowboys in the preseason, Grier moved to the Cincinnati Bengals roster. He then signed a contract in September to join the Patriots active roster.
On Nov. 25, New England waived the backup quarterback, only to sign him back on to the practice squad in the same week. Now, Grier has a chance to contribute to a fourth team this year – the Chargers.
Grier, a third-round selection of the Carolina Panthers in the 2019 NFL Draft out of West Virginia, played in the entirety of the Cowboys’ final preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. In the 31-16 victory, Grier completed 29-of-35 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. He added 53 yards on 10 carries and two scores.
After the Cowboys acquired Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers to backup Cooper Rush behind Dak Prescott, Grier’s chances at making the 53-man roster were slim to none.
A third-string backup for the majority of his career, Grier does have some experience in the NFL, dating back to 2019 during his time with the Panthers. He started two games, throwing for 228 yards with zero touchdowns and four interceptions on 53.8% passing.
Max Duggan waived
The addition of Grier to the Chargers roster was the first move by new general manager JoJo Wooden since taking up the post. In a corresponding move, the team waived rookie QB Max Duggan.
Duggan had a season to remember last fall as he led the TCU Horned Frogs to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, where they fell to Georgia.
He threw for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns in 15 games with 423 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the year, which helped lead to many honors during and after the season, including Big 12 Athlete of the Year, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.
Chargers move on from HC Brandon Staley, GM Tom Telesco
The Los Angeles Chargers named Giff Smith as Interim Head Coach and JoJo Wooden as Interim General Manager this week for the remainder of the 2023 season.
The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley following the team’s 63-21 loss to the Raiders on Thursday. He took over in 2021 and spent three seasons in the role. General manager Tom Telesco was also fired.
Staley, 41, had a 24-24 record during his time in Los Angeles, and he only had one playoff appearance under his belt. His tenure started with a 9-8 mark in 2021 and he made his first playoff appearance in 2022 with a 10-7 record. That put the Chargers in the AFC Wild Card game, and they led the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-0 at one point.
However, that lead eventually evaporated, and Los Angeles eventually fell 31-30. That sent Staley into his third season with some criticism, and it didn’t seem to slow down considering the Chargers’ struggles — particularly on defense.