Ja’Marr Chase Raves About Panthers Rookie Tetairoa McMillan: “He’s One of Them”
When one of the league’s best wideouts takes time to praise a rookie, it’s worth paying attention. That’s exactly what happened when Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase spoke about Carolina Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan - and he didn’t hold back.
“He’s a tall receiver and he knows how to control his body weight for a tall guy,” Chase said. “Not a lot of tall guys know how to do it, and he’s one of them.”
That’s high praise coming from a player who knows a thing or two about dominating at the position. And when you look at McMillan’s rookie campaign, it’s easy to see why Chase is impressed.
McMillan didn’t just flash potential - he delivered. He led all NFL rookies in receiving yards (1,014), receiving yards per game (59.6), and touchdown catches (seven).
His 70 receptions ranked third among first-year players, and he broke the Panthers’ franchise record for most receiving yards by a rookie. That’s not just a solid debut - that’s a statement.
In the Panthers’ Wild Card loss to the Rams, McMillan once again showed he belongs on the big stage. He hauled in five catches for 81 yards, giving fans a glimpse of the kind of weapon he can be in the postseason. It wasn’t the ending Carolina hoped for, but McMillan’s performance was a bright spot - and a warning shot to the rest of the league.
His breakout moment came back in Week 6, when he torched the Dallas Cowboys for two touchdowns and took home Rookie of the Week honors. That game put him on the national radar, but it was his consistency that kept him there.
Ja’Marr Chase knows exactly how hard it is to sustain that level of play as a rookie - and that’s what impressed him most.
“I think the biggest thing about being rookie of the year is just being consistent throughout the whole year,” Chase said. “I think that’s both the hardest and the easiest thing you can do to put yourself in position to win rookie of the year.
Just because you’re a rookie coming in and there’s a lot of expectations, and just holding yourself to who you are and playing to your speed and having fun - that’s the biggest thing. And TMac’s doing it.”
That consistency, paired with undeniable talent, is a big reason why McMillan is a finalist for the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. And if you ask his quarterback, Bryce Young, there’s no doubt who should take it home.
“TMac, he was him,” Young said after the playoff loss. “He’s exactly who he’s been.
He was elite; he’s a special player. He’ll be the offensive rookie of the year.
I have all the confidence in the world.”
Young didn’t stop there. He praised McMillan’s work ethic, his natural ability, and his commitment to refining his craft - all the things you want to hear about a young receiver with star potential.
“Stuff you can’t teach, and all the stuff that you can, he’s working super hard at,” Young said. “He’s working to perfect it and cares about the craft.
Again, a special guy. I’m super grateful that he’s on the team.”
The Panthers made the playoffs this season for the first time since 2017, and while they didn’t make a deep run, the foundation is clearly being laid. Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan already look like a duo that could give defenses fits for years to come.
And if McMillan’s rookie year is just the beginning? Carolina might have something special brewing in Charlotte.