The Carolina Panthers have several question marks concerning their team in 2026. Most notably, how good can Bryce Young be?
Additionally, the offensive line and tight end rooms are other big question marks. One of the players the Panthers definitely ARE NOT worried about, however, is second-year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
McMillan exploded onto the scene as a rookie, catching 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. Heading into Year 2, the Panthers expect even bigger things out of McMillan, and it's no surprise that the receiver is among the Panthers' biggest reasons for optimism.
McMillan is Panthers' Biggest Bright Spot
Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus recently published his season preview for the Panthers. McGuinness called McMillan the team's biggest reason for optimism in 2026.
"Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan made an immediate impact in his first NFL season, leading all rookie wide receivers in receiving grade (79.2) and trailing only Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III with an average of 1.85 yards per route run," McGuinness said. "McMillan quickly established himself as Bryce Young's favorite target, with his 126 targets across the regular season and playoffs twice as many as any other player on the Panthers' roster."
As McGuinness pointed out, McMillan was probably the best rookie receiver in 2025 and arguably already a top overall receiver in the league. If McMillan was that good as a rookie, there's reason to believe he's in for an even bigger season in 2026.
The Panthers did draft Chris Brazzell II this year, but he's already suffered a season-ending injury. As a result, the Panthers are essentially running back the same receiver core in 2026, meaning McMillan shouldn't get any fewer targets.
It's rare to have a true WR1, but the Panthers seem to have found one in McMillan. Having a receiver like that can completely transform an offense, and there's no doubt it will also help Bryce Young.
Young is trying to prove he's the franchise quarterback, and it'll be much easier to do that with a big target like McMillan to throw to.
Who Will Step Up Behind McMillan?
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McMillan is a very good receiver, but he can't do it alone. As mentioned above, the Panthers won't have Brazzell, so somebody else will have to step up.
Jalen Coker is a player the Panthers really like, but he's never had more than 478 yards in a season. Xavier Legette is a former first-round pick who has yet to prove worthy of that selection. Legette is getting the biggest chance of his career in 2026, so this could be a make-or-break year for the young receiver.
We know McMillan is going to perform. Now, we just have to see who is going to step up behind him.
