The Carolina Panthers are a team trying to find their identity and build a winning culture. 2017 was the last time the franchise made the playoffs, and in 2025, they are looking to change their fortunes. Bryce Young’s encouraging end to 2024 has led to more hype for the Panthers coming into this season, but that’s not the only reason people are excited about the Panthers.
Every quarterback needs weapons to throw to, and the Panthers have committed to providing Young with more tools to be successful. Through the draft and free agency, the Panthers have added to their receiving room, and it’s beginning to be recognized.
One of the people whose eyes the Panthers’ receiving corps has caught is an expert in receiving at a high level himself, former Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson.
Underrated Receivers
Chad Johnson, on the August 13 edition of his show “Nightcap” with NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, discussed the Panthers and how he feels like their receivers are underrated.
“I think they have one of the most underrated receiving cores in the NFL, and I’m willing to bet whatever on them this year,” Johnson said. “They’re going to be alright. Jimmy Horn Jr, Thielen, Brother Legette. Come on now.”
The Panthers, after having little depth at wide receiver last season, now find themselves with a fascinating array of receivers. Tetairoa McMillian is the major addition this year with his selection eighth overall in the draft. Hunter Renfrow comes to the Panthers in free agency after last playing in 2023. Jimmy Horn Jr. has flashed in training camp and could be a good depth piece.
The new additions are joining returning receivers like Adam Thielen, who developed good chemistry with Bryce Young as the season went on. Xavier Legette had an up-and-down season, but as a former first-round pick, he still possesses a world of potential. And Jalen Coker showed flashes of being a productive receiver in his rookie year as well.
Building Chemistry
Bryce Young has stepped up as a leader this offseason and made a concerted effort to build chemistry with his receivers. In July, Young and a handful of receivers got together in Minnesota to work on their chemistry. Panthers Wire writer Anthony Rizzuti wrote about the meet-up.
“Young and a handful of the Panthers’ pass catchers linked up in Minnesota this past week to get in some work with Ryan Englebert of ETS Performance,” Rizzuti wrote. “The group included wideouts Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Kobe Hudson, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders.”
The mix of different personalities and play should make the Panthers more diverse and dynamic as a team. Tetairoa McMillan commented on the receiver room being a melting pot in the Panthers Wire article.
“It’s funny,” McMillan stated. “If you really look at our receiver room—we’re so diverse, yet we get along very well. It’s a huge testament to everybody’s humility that we have in our group. Nobody’s entitled. At the end of the day, we all wanna see each other succeed. If one person wins, we all win. I’m happy, and I’m proud to be in this receiver room.”
The Panthers’ 2025 season has promise, and if the team reaches its potential, their wide receivers will be a substantial contributing factor.
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