Tetairoa McMillan Caps Stellar Rookie Season with AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Honors
The NFL’s top offensive rookie crown has found its rightful head - and it belongs to Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
In a season that saw flashes of brilliance turn into full-blown stardom, McMillan was officially named the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year during NFL Honors in San Francisco. The former Arizona Wildcat stood out in a class that included some serious talent, beating out New England’s TreVeyon Henderson, New Orleans’ Tyler Shough, New York’s Jaxson Dart, and Tampa Bay’s Emeka Egbuka.
But Thursday night wasn’t just about football accolades. In a moment that blended heart with history, McMillan’s mother, Shawny, took the stage to present the award to her son - a gesture that underscored the tight-knit foundation behind the breakout rookie.
She described him as humble, loyal, and grounded in faith and family. And for the record, she made one thing clear: “His name is Tetairoa - not Tet!”
McMillan, never one to make the moment all about himself, echoed that humility in his acceptance speech.
“I’m super blessed and humble to receive this award,” he said. “The most humbling thing is I know I couldn’t have done this by myself. I want to thank my mom for always being there for me - she’s the real soldier.”
He went on to credit his family, his faith, and the people who’ve helped shape his journey, calling it a blessing to be surrounded by “incredible people who have invested in me.”
And make no mistake - McMillan earned every bit of that hardware.
The rookie wideout led all first-year players in receiving yards with 1,014 - the only rookie to crack the 1,000-yard mark this season. He added seven touchdowns to his résumé and accounted for a whopping 25% of Carolina’s targets during the regular season. That kind of volume and production isn’t just rare for a rookie - it’s historic in Panthers franchise lore.
McMillan’s 1,014 yards tied for 14th in the entire league, and they now stand as the most ever by a rookie in Carolina’s history. He’s also the first former Arizona Wildcat to post a 1,000-yard receiving season since tight end Rob Gronkowski did it with the Patriots back in 2017. And when it comes to wide receivers from the University of Arizona, you have to go all the way back to 1989 - when Vance Johnson, a converted running back, hit the mark - to find the last one to do it.
McMillan’s first NFL touchdown came in October against the Dallas Cowboys - and he made it count. That game saw him haul in three catches for 29 yards and two scores, including the game-winner in overtime.
It also happened to fall on his grandfather Willie McMillan’s 75th birthday, and Tetairoa made sure the moment stayed in the family by handing him the game ball. That performance earned him NFC Offensive Rookie of the Week honors.
Beyond the numbers, McMillan gave Carolina something it had been missing for years - a dynamic, go-to threat on the outside. His emergence helped push the Panthers to their first playoff appearance in eight seasons, finishing 8-9 and earning a Wild Card berth. Though they fell to the Rams in a tight 34-31 battle, McMillan showed up once again, catching five passes for 81 yards in his postseason debut.
That kind of production in big moments is what separates good rookies from great ones. And McMillan? He’s trending toward greatness.
He also made history as the first Arizona Wildcat to ever win NFL Rookie of the Year honors. It’s a rare club of Wildcats who’ve earned major NFL awards - Rob Gronkowski took home Comeback Player of the Year in 2014, and linebacker Tedy Bruschi earned the same honor in 2005 - but McMillan’s feat stands alone.
He’s part of a growing Arizona-to-NFL pipeline that saw 11 former Wildcats suit up in the league this season. That list includes names like Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Commanders), Jacob Cowing (49ers), Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Giants), and Nick Folk (Jets), among others.
McMillan’s rise hasn’t come out of nowhere. He was a consensus All-American and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year during his final season at Arizona in 2024. His blend of size, route-running, and hands made him a top prospect, and now, just one year into his NFL career, he’s already delivering on that promise - and then some.
For the Panthers, McMillan represents more than just a bright spot - he’s a foundation piece. For Arizona fans, he’s a source of pride.
And for the league? He’s a name to remember.
Just make sure you get it right: It’s Tetairoa.