‘We’re trying’ — Panthers assistant says what rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan won’t as they grind for a payoff that will be worth every second
T-Mac’s time will come.
If there’s one thing going perfect for the Carolina Panthers in 2025, it’s easily first-round rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
It was a bold decision to make, using the team’s first selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on yet another young pass catcher for quarterback Bryce Young, instead of adding help to one of the worst defensive units from a season ago. But, the decision proves to be the right one every single week.
T-Mac has been awesome for the Panthers through the first five games of the season. In each contest, McMillan has led his team in receiving yards but the one thing fans are still awaiting to see from the rookie is his first career touchdown in the regular season. And while it’s something McMillan isn’t personally worried about, his coaches feel a different way.
Tetairoa McMillan has the right approach when it comes to getting his first career TD
“He wants to get every catch,” offensive coordinator Brad Idzik said of McMillan on Thursday. “I know this sounds like coachspeak, he has not expressed ‘I’m dying to get my first career touchdown’ that’s not really his mental makeup. That’s why we love the guy.”
“…Just really commend T-Mac for his approach every week. Trust me, we’re trying to get him that touchdown. And we’re going to keep trying and it’s going to come to light.”
Five different players have scored a receiving touchdown for the Panthers in 2025. Last week, second-year wide receiver Xavier Legette hauled in his first of the season, which turned out to be a feel-good moment for him after a rough start. But, when you watch the play back, what happened after was a feel-good moment as well involving McMillan.
“If you look at that play where Xavier caught the ball, T-Mac was open. He did his job and got open as well, the ball went the other way,” Idzik added. “It’s really cool just to watch this group of receivers… with different guys making plays and how they just put their arms around each other. That for me, is really special. Watch T-Mac’s reaction after Xavier catches that ball and he’s going right to him to do whatever that dance-shake they got going.”
That selflessness and team-first mentality is one of the main traits that led the Panthers toward selection McMillan with the eighth overall pick and his own mindset toward wanting his time in the end zone is exactly what you’d want to hear.
“I’m not really worried about it,” McMillan explained. “God never makes a mistake. When the time comes, and it happens, it’s meant to be.”
McMillan’s next opportunity to score his first touchdown will come on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, the team that’s allowed the second-most passing touchdowns, second-most passing yards, third-most passes of 20+ yards and the most passes of 40+ yards.
If there were ever a perfect opportunity for McMillan to have finally his moment and make a big play on a deep shot, it’d have to be on Sunday. And it’s going to be worth every second if it happens.
Carolina Panthers News
Despite steady growth one Panthers rookie is still aiming to cross a key goal off his bucket list going into Week 6
Could this finally be the week?
