McMillan Leads Panthers' Rise | NFL News

0:00It's September 6th. I'm Corey with the story, and this is NFL News Today, your AI-powered football briefing. The Carolina Panthers are gearing up for the 2026 season with high hopes, aiming to defend their NFC South title and make another playoff. Run. A major reason for that optimism is their star receiver, Tetsairoa McMillan, who snagged offensive rookie of the year honors. He put up some serious numbers last season, hauling in 70 catches for over a thousand yards and seven touchdowns, quickly becoming a go-to guy for the offense. Coach Dave Canalas plans to use McMillan all over the field, utilizing his skills both in the slot and when he can get those one-on-one matchups. This versatility is key for Carolina, allowing them to create mismatches and get them open against the posing defenses. Beyond McMillan, they'll be looking to Jalen Coker and the other receivers to contribute to the aerial attack. No one's arrival clearly had a positive effect on quarterback Bryce Young's performance. Young had his best year yet with McMillan on the field, throwing for over 3,000 yards

1:03and 23 touchdowns. If Young continues to develop, this offense could really start clicking, especially with a new look in the backfield. The running back situation has seen some changes, which Hubeh Hubbard and Jonathan Brooks said to lead the charge after Rico Doudal moved on. Hubeh Hubbard, in particular, has shown he can handle a heavy workload, having put up over 1,100 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in a previous season. His ability to contribute both on the ground and through the air adds another dimension to their attack. With McMillan poised for another big year and the offense showing signs of growth, the Panthers are looking like a team that could definitely contend. For another, division crown, they've got the talent in place, and if McMillan can build on his rookie success, Carolina could be a serious force in the NFC South.