The NFL revealed a major individual award Thursday night at NFL Honors in San Francisco. The 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year award was announced, and the winner made history.
Tetairoa McMillan Joins Cam Newton in Panthers History
Tetairoa McMillan was named the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Panthers’ wide receiver was selected over finalists quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough, receiver Emeka Egbuka, and running back TreVeyon Henderson. He became the second player in Panthers history to win the award, joining Cam Newton in 2011.
The No. 8 overall pick finished his rookie season with 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. He led all rookies in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
How McMillan Powered Carolina’s Passing Game
McMillan finished his rookie season as the centerpiece of the Panthers’ offense. He accounted for 30.6 percent of Carolina’s total receiving yards and 29.1 percent of the team’s passing touchdowns.
The impact showed up in decisive moments, with two multi-touchdown games, both Panthers victories, and an NFL Rookie of the Week performance after a three-catch, two-score day against Dallas. He became a reliable option on possession downs, catching seven passes on fourth down and converting six of them for first downs.
Tetairoa McMillan is the @Panthers first OROY since 2011!@officialnalo | @EAMaddenNFL | #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/G0SIu48xKR
— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2026
The connection with quarterback Bryce Young grew throughout the year as Carolina improved from five wins in 2024 to an 8–9 record and a postseason berth. Coaches built much of the passing structure around the 22-year-old, using formations and motions to create clean releases and favorable matchups.
His route detail and catch radius allowed Young to target him in tight windows. He quickly became a red-zone threat and field stretcher. He is already comfortable finding soft spots in zone coverage, yet he struggles against most NFL cornerbacks in one-on-one coverage. According to PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, he finished the season as the 44th-ranked wideout in the league.
McMillan’s honor completed a sweep of national recognition after he was previously named Pro Football Writers of America Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year. He joins Newton, Luke Kuechly, and Julius Peppers as the only Panthers to capture an AP rookie award.
The season closed with McMillan established as Carolina’s top receiver and a foundational piece for the offense. The Panthers hit a home run by drafting McMillan. He has given the franchise a clear anchor in the passing game heading into 2026.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
