The Carolina Panthers are a team in an interesting position in 2025. 2017 was the last time the Panthers made the playoffs, but the strong end to their 2024 season signaled a franchise that looks like it’s ready to start competing.
One reason for the enhanced confidence in 2025 is the selection of the University of Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick in the draft. So far, through training camp and the first preseason game, McMillan has gained believers.
Two of those believers come in the form of popular ESPN analysts Mina Kimes and Ben Solak.
McMillan the Real Deal
On the “Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny” on Wednesday, the guest was ESPN NFL writer Ben Solak, and when the discussion landed upon the Panthers and Tetairoa McMillan, he was highly spoken of.
“Watching T-Mac get off the line of scrimmage, watching him elevate for footballs and watching him play against NFL-caliber-sized corners, it’s very clear that he’s going to be the caliber of ball winner,” Solak said. “Win the contested catch, win the vertical one-on-one stuff, that floor is there. The question with T-Mac was always the ceiling. What can he be as a route runner, separator, middle of the field, but the thing we need you to be good at in year one? You’re gonna be good at that.”
Kimes followed up Solak’s praise of McMillan’s traits by highlighting the special traits McMillan flashed in the Panthers’ first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.
“The traits that he flashed in this preseason game: Body control, the hands down the sideline, are exactly why he was the eighth overall pick,” Kimes said.
Just as McMillan has impressed those in the media, his team is giving him rave reviews as well.
Gaining Confidence
After having impressive showings in both training camp and the Panthers’ first preseason game, McMillan is already earning the confidence of his head coach and quarterback.
The highlight of McMillan’s first preseason game was a 30-yard catch down the sideline in the first quarter that showed why he was made a top ten pick. NFL.com’s Michael Baca had head coach Dave Canales’ thoughts on McMillan’s performance after the game.
“That’s what we’re counting on. That’s why he’s here,” head coach Dave Canales said of the highlight, via team transcript. “Stretch the field, play big, and that was a sign of good things.”
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young also had high praise for his new rookie weapon and their growing chemistry.
“I have a ton of trust and confidence in him,” Young said after the game. “He did a great job of pulling his line and giving me a spot to throw the ball. It was a great catch. It’s a lot harder than I’m sure it looked, so he did a great job on that. I have all the confidence in the world in him.”
McMillan is off to a great start to his career, living up to expectations throughout training camp and the preseason. If McMillan can keep this up in the regular season, then the Panthers will be a team on the rise.
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