While the Carolina Panthers lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, 26-10, 2025’s eighth overall pick, Tetairoa McMillan, led the team in receiving in his regular-season debut. Carolina has desperately tried to find receiver help over the past few seasons, and seeing their first-round pick produce early on is a promising sign. How did the rookie fare in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals?
How Did Carolina Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan Play in Week 2?
After a solid start to his NFL career, McMillan turned it up a notch in Week 2, proving to the Panthers that they made the right decision in the 2025 NFL Draft to make him the latest receiver selected by the franchise. After a tough first half for quarterback Bryce Young, the offense came alive as he and McMillan connected six times on ten targets for 100 yards.
The young receiver showed off his playmaking abilities, turning a 15-yard slant into a 40-yard catch and run to flip the field position for the Panthers as they did their best to come back from a ten-point deficit in the first quarter.
TETAIROA MCMILLAN FOR 40pic.twitter.com/tQYUC37GCE
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) September 14, 2025
Having an offensive weapon that can take a completion and add an additional 25 yards after the catch is huge. Carolina had hoped that would be the type of playmaking Xavier Leggette would provide after selecting him with the 32nd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the former South Carolina wide receiver hasn’t fulfilled those first-round expectations quite yet.
Getting immediate contributions from McMillan is enormous and should help the Panthers’ offense find more consistency early on as Young solidifies his status as the Panthers’ centerpiece. The slow starts aren’t helping, but as they get more reps, the Panthers should start to get rolling earlier.
Tetairoa McMillan’s near catches are becoming a highlight reel by themselves pic.twitter.com/KWt6Ts7nd4
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 14, 2025
Through two weeks, McMillan leads the Panthers with 168 receiving yards on eleven receptions. He hasn’t found the end zone yet, but it’s coming sooner rather than later, given how often he’s getting targeted by Young. Even some of his drops have been noteworthy, with McMillan having some incredible near catches as well.
Carolina will face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 in an NFC South showdown as it continues to search for its first win of the season. Hopefully, the rookie can hook up with Young for his first NFL touchdown and help lead the Panthers to a 1-2 record.
