Carolina’s long-awaited turnaround found its brightest symbol in the league’s top rookie on offense.
Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named the 2025 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday night at NFL Honors in San Francisco, capping a breakout debut season that helped lift Carolina back into the playoff picture. McMillan dominated the voting, earning 41 of 50 first-place votes to easily secure the award.
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough finished second with five first-place votes, followed by Giants QB Jaxson Dart, Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson and Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Seahawks offensive lineman Grey Zabel collected the remaining two first-place votes.
Selected eighth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, McMillan immediately became a cornerstone of Carolina’s offense. The 22-year-old started all 17 games and emerged as quarterback Bryce Young’s most trusted target, hauling in 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. His production more than doubled that of the next-highest Panthers wide receiver and played a central role in Carolina winning the NFC South and snapping a seven-year playoff drought.
McMillan’s impact went beyond traditional counting stats. His receiving yardage accounted for 30.7% of Carolina’s total passing offense, the sixth-highest share in the NFL in 2025 and the third-highest by a rookie on a playoff team since the 1970 merger, according to NFL Research.
At 6-foot-5 with polished route-running and dependable hands, McMillan consistently stretched defenses, averaging 14.5 yards per catch. He led all rookies with 27 receptions of 16 or more yards and delivered steady production throughout the season. His signature performance came in Week 11, when he posted career highs with eight catches, 130 yards and two touchdowns in an overtime win over Atlanta.
Thursday night’s honor further underscored the Panthers’ belief that they have found a franchise receiver. A product of the University of Arizona, McMillan became just the sixth wide receiver since 2000 to win AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, joining Garrett Wilson, Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr., Percy Harvin and Anquan Boldin.
He is also only the second player in Panthers history to earn the award, following Cam Newton’s win in 2011 — a fitting milestone for a rookie whose arrival helped usher in a new era in Carolina.
