Tetairoa McMillan Earns AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Finalist Nod - and He’s Got a Real Shot at Winning It
The Carolina Panthers may have had a season filled with growing pains, but there’s one bright spot that’s impossible to miss: Tetairoa McMillan. The rookie wideout didn’t just impress-he delivered a debut campaign that put him squarely in the national spotlight. And now, he’s being recognized for it.
The Associated Press announced its finalists for the 2025 NFL season awards on Thursday, and McMillan is Carolina’s lone representative. He’s one of five players in the running for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, a group that includes New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
But if you’re looking at momentum, McMillan has it.
Just days before the AP announcement, McMillan was named Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America. That’s more than just a nice honor-it’s a strong indicator.
Each of the last five PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year winners has gone on to take home the AP version as well. That’s a trend Panthers fans will be watching closely.
And let’s be clear: McMillan’s numbers speak for themselves. The Panthers selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he wasted no time proving why.
He finished his rookie season with 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns, setting a franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie in the process. For a team that’s been searching for offensive playmakers, McMillan didn’t just fill a need-he became the guy.
What’s made McMillan stand out isn’t just the stats, though. It’s how he got them.
He showed poise beyond his years, consistently finding space against veteran defenders and making tough catches in traffic. Whether it was working the sideline or stretching the field vertically, he gave Carolina a legitimate WR1 presence from Day 1.
That kind of immediate impact is rare, and it’s exactly what this award aims to recognize.
Now, all eyes turn to NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5, where the AP awards will be officially announced. If McMillan wins, he’ll become just the second Panther ever to take home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors-joining Cam Newton, who won it back in 2011.
There’s still a bit of waiting to do, but one thing’s already clear: Tetairoa McMillan has arrived. And if this rookie season is any indication, Carolina’s got a star in the making.