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During the Bryce Young era, there's always been a clear No. 1 wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers.
In his first two years, that role was filled by former two-time Pro Bowler Adam Thielen, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings just before the 2025 NFL campaign began. Last year, that spot was passed on to first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan—who responded with a superb first season that culminated in an Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
At the moment, McMillan's foot injury kept him out of team drills at the start of mandatory minicamp, which opens up opportunities for Carolina's other receivers to step up. Here's what Young had to say about that, per team reporter Darin Gantt:
"Obviously, it's never as fun not having him in there," Young said. "But actually, I was talking to Brad (Idzik, the offensive coordinator) about this on the walk over, I think it can be good for us at this time, at this period where it's about developing. For me, you have a guy like that that's your safety blanket that you know all right, one on one, this is where I want to go, it gives you that opportunity. Let's work out some progressions. Let's see everyone run all these routes. Our guys have done a great job of responding."
Obviously, the Panthers would be better off with a healthy McMillan in the lineup, even if it's only June. In the meantime, it's a great chance for Young wideouts to step up—and nobody stands to benefit more than rookie Chris Brazzell II.
So far, so good on that account for the 2026 third-rounder. Both Young and head coach Dave Canales singled out Brazzell for praise following yesterday's practice.
McMillan's semi-absence should also give the coaching staff some extra outside looks at the likes of veteran David Moore, Brycen Tremayne and, of course, 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 minicamp: Bryce Young talks absence of Tetairoa McMillan
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In his first two years, that role was filled by former two-time Pro Bowler Adam Thielen, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings just before the 2025 NFL campaign began. Last year, that spot was passed on to first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan—who responded with a superb first season that culminated in an Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
At the moment, McMillan's foot injury kept him out of team drills at the start of mandatory minicamp, which opens up opportunities for Carolina's other receivers to step up. Here's what Young had to say about that, per team reporter Darin Gantt:
"Obviously, it's never as fun not having him in there," Young said. "But actually, I was talking to Brad (Idzik, the offensive coordinator) about this on the walk over, I think it can be good for us at this time, at this period where it's about developing. For me, you have a guy like that that's your safety blanket that you know all right, one on one, this is where I want to go, it gives you that opportunity. Let's work out some progressions. Let's see everyone run all these routes. Our guys have done a great job of responding."
Obviously, the Panthers would be better off with a healthy McMillan in the lineup, even if it's only June. In the meantime, it's a great chance for Young wideouts to step up—and nobody stands to benefit more than rookie Chris Brazzell II.
So far, so good on that account for the 2026 third-rounder. Both Young and head coach Dave Canales singled out Brazzell for praise following yesterday's practice.
McMillan's semi-absence should also give the coaching staff some extra outside looks at the likes of veteran David Moore, Brycen Tremayne and, of course, 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 minicamp: Bryce Young talks absence of Tetairoa McMillan
Continue reading...
