Carolina Panthers WR Xavier Legette didn't have a good 2025 season.
The Carolina Panthers made the playoffs this season for the first time since the 2017 campaign, but WR Xavier Legette struggled on an individual level.
The 24-year-old finished with 35 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns.
In 31 games with the Panthers, Legette has 84 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. He hasn't quite lived up to the hype of a first-round pick, but Carolina still believes in the South Carolina product.
"The thing I respect about Xavier is that through this process, all he's done is work,'' Panthers head coach Dave Canales said, via ESPN. "All he's done is just continue to try to find ways; 'How can I help?' He continued to block, and he continued to be available.
"He's just made of the right stuff. I have full faith and confidence that Xavier will bounce back and have an excellent year next year."
Some people around the NFL believe the Panthers should gauge Legette's trade value this offseason, but barring a major turn of events, it doesn't appear that will happen.
"We're all so quick to judge these guys,'' Panthers GM Dan Morgan said. "They're maybe not developing as quick as the outside wants, but you've got to be patient with these guys."
The Panthers lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round of the 2026 NFL playoffs. Legette had just one catch on four targets for eight yards.
"It ain't time for emotions right now,'' Legette said. "I'm still on the team, so I'm blessed to be in that position. ... I can only do as much as I can. When it comes to me, I've got to make the play.
"It's frustrating for sure, but it's bigger than me.''
It will be fascinating to see how Legette performs next season. The pressure is on the playmaker to have a productive campaign because if he doesn't, he could get traded.
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