CHARLOTTE — Carolina Panthers’ second-year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had zero hesitation when asked about his goals for the 2026 season.
His reply? To win a playoff game.
Last season, the Panthers made their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade, before falling to the Los Angeles Rams 34-31.
McMillan came back bigger and stronger.
He said his playing weight is 20 pounds heavier than last season, which resembles his weight while in college at Arizona, when he says he felt his best.
McMillan noticed a difference in the Panthers’ offense too, describing it as “night and day.”
“More people are stepping up,” he said. “We have a lot of dudes that can do a bunch of different things and are able to make plays wherever.”
McMillan also mentioned the competitive fire among his teammates to finish what they started after last year’s playoff loss.
“You can feel it,” he said. “Obviously, leaving that locker room, everybody was down. I feel like everybody’s got that fire in them right now and are just ready to go.”
The NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year picked up yet another award Wednesday, receiving his plaque for Rookie of the Year from the Pro Football Writers of America.
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