The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2025 NFL season with expectations for the first time in many years. They finished last season with a 5-12 record, but played better in the last month. Quarterback Bryce Young cleaned up his interception problem and caught fire to end the year. Now with another year of development under his belt, and another solid draft for Carolina, they may be sneaky contenders in the NFC South this season.
The Panthers are also returning several offensive linemen, which should help Young stay back in the pocket long enough to get the ball to their talented and experienced receiver group. Carolina signed Hunter Renfrow in the offseason and has Adam Thielen as a receiver to go along with youngsters Xavier Legette and first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan.
McMillan Named as Rookie With Most Pressure to Perform
Before even playing one snap in the NFL, standout wideout and number eight overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, “Tet” McMillan, is already tabbed with pressure to carry the Carolina Panthers organization. The 6’5 receiver from Arizona was the consensus best wideout in the draft (not named Travis Hunter), and it was a no-brainer for Carolina to take him off the board when they were on the clock.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports is the one who named McMillan as a player with “Most Pressure to Succeed” out of all non-QBs.
“McMillan was the first pure receiver off the board — not counting Hunter — and he was picked to further the developmental process of 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. And the Panthers entered the draft with 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette fresh off a mostly disappointing season. They didn’t have an obvious perimeter threat who could routinely move the chains.”
McMillan was ranked third on the list of five rookies by Trapasso and was one of just two offensive players in the rankings. Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders was right ahead of McMillan.
“All of those factors combined make it rather evident: McMillan, the sizable, power forward wideout, is in the pressure cooker in his first season to be the catalyst for Young to fully live up to the hype that comes with being the top pick in the draft.”
Panthers Poised for More Success in 2025
After two down years in Young’s first two seasons, he now has a plethora of weapons and two solid running backs in the backfield. The Carolina Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in the offseason to go along with Chuba Hubbard, who had a breakout 2024 season.
However, it doesn’t matter how well the offense performs if the defense is unable to get stops, which that group failed to do last season, but the Panthers went heavy on defense in this past draft after picking McMillan with pick no. 8. Carolina went with edge Nic Scourton to pair with one of the best interior men, Derrick Brown, and then their third-round pick last season, linebacker Trevin Wallace, is believed to take a big step this year as well.
The Panthers are a sleeper team heading into the 2025 season, and it will be interesting to get a glimpse of McMillan in training camp next month.
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