During a high-stakes 2025 NFL Draft scenario, the Carolina Panthers rejected a large trade proposal from the Los Angeles Rams to keep their No. 8 overall pick, ultimately drafting University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The behind-the-scenes footage, released by the Carolina Panthers, provides fans with a front-row seat to the war room deliberations that resulted in the daring choice.
Carolina Panthers double down on Tetairoa McMillan as Los Angeles Rams pivot to deal with Atlanta Falcons
In the leaked video, Carolina Panthers executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis led the negotiations with the Los Angeles Rams. While the Los Angeles Rams made a beeline for the Carolina Panthers’ No. 8 pick, officials considered all sides. Ultimately, though, the Panthers remained firm and picked up wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, a University of Arizona athletic specimen with enormous potential as a deep-threat playmaker. As soon as the decision was made, the Carolina Panthers’ war room cheered. Dan Morgan called Tetairoa McMillan personally over the phone to welcome him to Carolina Panthers as the newest member of a rebuilding offense.
Panthers Blueprint | DRAFT 2025 | An All-Access Look Inside the Draft Room | Carolina Panthers
At the same time, the Los Angeles Rams quickly made the switch. Although not able to trade up with Carolina, they ultimately made another significant move—trading the No. 26 overall selection to the Atlanta Falcons. The trade featured a 2026 first-round pick returning to Los Angeles. The Atlanta Falcons took elite edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th selection, bolstering their defense. The 2025 NFL Draft is further refining itself as a drama of big stakes and strategic chess. The Carolina Panthers’ refusal to trade down—and their investment in Tetairoa McMillan—are representative of a club completely dedicated to redefining its offense. Conversely, the Los Angeles Rams, traditionalists in aggressive roster moves, adopted another means of gaining value by trading with the Atlanta Falcons. Although the Panthers landed their primary target, the Rams gained future draft assets, and the Falcons acquired one of the best edge rushers in James Pearce Jr.Also read: Proactive policing credited for low human trafficking numbers during 2025 NFL Draft in Green BayTime will tell who benefited most, but the drama inside the Panthers’ war room is a stark reminder: in the NFL Draft, every moment matters.