The 8th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft helped the Carolina Panthers earn their first division title since 2015 and their first playoff appearance since 2017.

SAN FRANCISCO — Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan lived up to the hype as a top 10 draft pick and that continues to be proven after he was named the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

McMillan won the award at Thursday night’s NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco ahead of the Super Bowl.

Carolina drafted  the former Arizona All-American with the eighth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and he proceeded to make an immediate impact. He led all NFL rookies in receiving yards, setting a franchise record for a rookie with 1,014.

He was also tops among first-year players in receiving touchdowns (7) and receiving yards per game (59.6).

McMillan becomes just the second Panthers player to win AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, joining Cam Newton (2011). 

Luke Kuechly (2012) and Julius Peppers (2002) were AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners.