Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. hasn’t exactly been the biggest believer in wideout Tetairoa McMillan. But has the rookie’s eye-opening production changed his view?
Smith joined Monday’s episode of Up & Adams, less than 24 hours after McMillan posted a career-high 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 30-27 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Host Kay Adams asked the franchise’s all-time leading pass catcher if, especially after Sunday’s performance, the 2025 first-round pick is a true No. 1 receiver.
“Yeah, he’s a true No. 1 wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers,” Smith replied. “Because his role for the Carolina Panthers, especially the way Bryce [Young] plays—Bryce doesn’t really push the ball consistently down the field as of yet. So having T-Mac there really has helped Bryce.”
T-Mac helped Bryce to a career-high 448 passing yards in Week 11. Young’s output also stands as a new franchise record, surpassing Cam Newton’s 432-yard day in 2011.
But despite the numbers, Smith revisited his talking point on McMillan from this past spring—suggesting that his speed isn’t elite enough.
“But when we look like at a true No. 1 guy like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, DK Metcalf—some of those guys got a little bit more speed,” he later added. “You look at the Indianapolis Colts—you look at Michael [Pittman Jr.]. Michael [Pittman Jr.] is the No. 1 wide receiver. However, Alec Pierce is knocking on the door because he can stretch the field.
“When you have speed, that is a commodity your coaches can’t coach. You can’t do anything about it. It’s just genetics. So when you got guys with speed, teams generally value those guys more.”
McMillan, through 11 games, has amassed 748 receiving yards—currently the sixth-most in the NFL.
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