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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a historic performance against the Lions on Sunday Night Football.
With 14 catches, 192 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, McMillan became the first player in team history to reach all three marks in one game.
“Y’all only wanna talk to me when I do good,” McMillan joked with reporters after his breakout game. “[Playing in front of a massive crowd] was obviously a blessing.”
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)(Erik Verduzco | AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
McMillan’s 14 catches tied Christian McCaffrey’s 2018 total for the second-most in a game in Panthers history. His 192 receiving yards are also tied for second-most, matching Muhsin Muhammad’s 1998 mark. Steve Smith Sr. holds the team record for receiving yards in a game, with 201 set in 2005, while McCaffrey holds the catches record with 15, set in 2019.
After scoring his second touchdown, McMillan paid homage to Smith Sr. by finding the camera and talking some trash — a celebration Smith was known for after scoring twice in a game.
“I said, ‘Shoutout to Steve Smith. If you see this face, that means I scored … again,’” McMillan said. “So I did a little tribute to him, for sure.”
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This is McMillan’s first career Offensive Player of the Week award. He is the first Panthers receiver to earn the honor and the 16th player in franchise history to win it. The award’s previous Panthers recipient was Bryce Young in Week 11 of 2025.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) heads off after defeating the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)(Scott Kinser | AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
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