Will Grier will be Patriots' emergency QB this weekend after being claimed off Cincinnati practice squad

FOXBORO -- The Patriots are back to having three quarterbacks on the roster, with the team signing Will Grier to join Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe in the QB room.

The Pats are adding Grier off the Cincinnati practice squad, as first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday night and confirmed by Bill Belichick on Friday morning. Belichick said that Grier will be the team's emergency quarterback this weekend against the New York Jets, so the Pats will save a roster spot by designating him in that role.

"Felt like we need depth at that position. Two quarterbacks -- it's a long year," Belichick said of the move in an incredibly brief chat with reporters on Friday.

Grier spent the preseason with the Cowboys but was released after Dallas acquired Trey Lance from the 49ers. The 28-year-old was with Dallas in 2021 and 2022 and made five game-day rosters behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush, but did not play any snaps during the regular season.

A third-round pick by Carolina in 2019, Grier saw his only NFL action during his rookie season, starting the final two games of the season for the Panthers. He went 0-2 in those games, throwing four interceptions and zero touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.

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