Mike McCarthy evaluates the growth he's seen from Cowboys quarterback Will Grier

The Dallas Cowboys have their starting quarterback set in stone with Dak Prescott, but there are questions beyond him at the position. Cooper Rush and Will Grier are currently competing to be the Cowboys backup quarterback, and Grier has opened some eyes with his performance during training camp so far.

Grier is entering his second season as a member of the Cowboys after joining the team in September of 2021. He did not play in a game last season, but Grier has shown a lot of growth as the season nears. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy spoke about what he has liked about Grier in camp so far after practice on Saturday.

“I think Will has taken a big step,” McCarthy said during Cowboys training camp. “I mean you can see the instinct and awareness. Coming out of college I think that was something that jumped out for him. Will has played a lot of quarterback, came out of the womb playing quarterback for his dad. So now you’re starting to see that in his comfort in our system in getting through the checks and where to go with the ball.

“He’s just playing quarterback again. I think coming here when he did last year, there’s definitely transition through the terminology, the language and all those types of things. But I really like the camp he’s had. He’s definitely made a move this week.”

Grier is looking to earn his role with the Cowboys

Before being drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, Grier became a star in college football at West Virginia. He joined the Mountaineers in 2017, completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 3,490 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Then in 2018 Grier completed 67 percent of his pass attempts for 3,864 yards with 37 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

As a rookie in 2019, Grier got limited opportunities with the Panthers. He did earn two starts though, both of which were losses. As a rookie, Grier completed 28 of his 52 pass attempts for 228 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions.

Grier hasn’t seen the field since his rookie season, and he was eventually waived by the Panthers before the Cowboys claimed him. Now, he is looking to stick around with his second NFL organization. Dak Prescott has dealt with injuries over the past couple of seasons, so Grier could be thrust into action at some point if he is able to earn the top backup job during camp.