Bryce Young got a crucial connection back on track at the right time, and maintaining it is key for Carolina’s playoff push
Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan were back on their A-game together.
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has had a tremendous first season in the NFL and is the clear front-runner to win the Offensive Player of the Year award for the campaign he’s managed to put together in 2025.
However, McMillan’s production hit a wall following his 130-yard, two touchdown, breakout against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11. In the following three games, McMillan totaled only five receptions after averaging 4.9 receptions per game in his first 11 games due to a variety of factors.
“That’s the league,” Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said of McMillan’s slump last week. “Teams make adjustments, there’s stuff that we all want back. We obviously want everyone to go and have success and have a career night every night. In the league, sometimes it’s going to get spread out.
“T-Mac’s doing a great job. He’s special. That’s not changed, that’s not going to change… I have all the confidence in the world in him. I know this organization, coaching staff, everyone knows who he is.”
It was clear getting McMillan back involved and getting the connection between him and his quarterback going was a priority heading into Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Young made sure it came to fruition.
Tetairoa McMillan heated back up for the Panthers at the perfect time
Week 16 was a must-win game for the Panthers if the team had any hopes of securing the No. 4 seed in the NFC and winning the division back. And it was clear right off the bat that the Panthers wanted to get McMillan going in that game.
T-Mac had four receptions in the first-half alone, including a go-ahead touchdown in the second-quarter and finished the game with 10 targets and 73 receiving yards.
“It’s hard when you don’t get the ball sometimes,” McMillan told reporters in the locker room after the win on Sunday. “But when the ball comes, you gotta make a play. That’s what everybody relies on you for and what everybody counts on you for.”
Panthers will need the Young-McMillan connection to maintain at this level
The Panthers have a critical two-game stretch to end the season because the job’s not finished. As big of a win as Sunday was, the Panthers still haven’t earned anything beyond controlling their own destiny with the No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks coming to town next weekend followed by a regular season finale rematch against the Bucs.
To earn a spot in the dance, and even make some postseason noise, the Panthers will need Young and McMillan to maintain this level of play with their connection moving forward.
“Nothing changes,” McMillan added. “We gotta keep our head down and flush this game. Even though we’re in a good spot, we gotta flush it and get ready for this upcoming week.”
Last week, the Seattle Seahawks allowed 225-yards and two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams’ top QB-WR duo in Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua but it still wasn’t enough for the Rams to come out on top. So, while keeping this connection going strong is a must for the Panthers, a lot more will be required to knock off another top seeded team.
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Panthers take a big step closer to deciding the NFC South and the fans proved they’re ready for a home playoff game
The Carolina Panthers earned a huge win in Week 16 but the job isn’t finished.
