After a series of recent recognitions, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been named a finalist for the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The announcement was made Thursday morning by the Associated Press.
As a finalist, McMillan will attend the NFL Honors event on February 5. This annual awards show takes place on the Thursday before the Super Bowl and recognizes top performers from across the league. The winners of both AP offensive and defensive rookie honors will be revealed during this ceremony.
Other finalists for the offensive rookie award include Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson, and Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
Earlier in the week, McMillan received additional accolades from the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), being named both their offensive rookie and overall rookie of the year as well as earning a spot on their All-Rookie team. He is also among those up for fan vote rookie of the year; voting remains open until January 30.
McMillan was selected eighth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Arizona. In his first season with Carolina, he started all 17 games and recorded 70 receptions on 122 targets for 1,014 yards—an average of 14.5 yards per catch—and seven touchdowns. His receiving yardage set a new franchise record for rookies while his touchdown total ranks second in team history and led all NFL rookies this season.
He posted 27 explosive receptions (16 or more yards), leading all NFL rookies in that category as well as in total explosive plays. McMillan also caught seven passes on fourth down, converting six into first downs for Carolina.
Across all players league-wide, he tied for most catches on fourth down and registered five explosive receptions among those attempts. He achieved two games with over 100 receiving yards and caught at least one pass in every game this season. In Week 6 against Dallas, he earned NFL Rookie of the Week honors after catching three passes for 29 yards and two touchdowns to help secure a narrow victory.
Reflecting on his recognition as a finalist near season’s end, McMillan said: “Shoot, I mean, obviously, I think that’s a testament to this team,” adding: “Everybody knows that you can’t win any individual awards without your team being good. So, obviously, us being good has allowed me to be in those talks. But whatever happens, happens.”
Quarterback Bryce Young expressed confidence about McMillan’s prospects: “TMac, he was him,” Young said about his teammate. “He was, he’s exactly who he’s been. He was elite; he’s a special player. He’ll be the offensive rookie of the year.”
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