The chemistry between two key Carolina Panthers players continues to build as Week 1 looms.
The 2026 NFL season is almost here as we are under two weeks until kickoff for Week 1.
Following the preseason and roster cuts, the focus has shifted to the start of the season for the Carolina Panthers. They will host the Chicago Bears in Week 1 in what will be a battle of division winners from the 2025 season.
Although Carolina was able to win the NFC South, they did so with an 8-9 record and have some questions to answer. There are some doubters about the Panthers going into this season, and the focus is going to be on Bryce Young and the offense.
The former No. 1 overall pick is going into year four and while Carolina has picked up the fifth year option, they have yet to make a decision on his long term future. Ideally, they want to have the decision be an easy one, in a good way.
One key for Young will be the weapons he has on offense. Last season, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan emerged as he won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award following an impressive first season. He became Young's go-to guy and as we go into this year, that should be the case once again.
ESPN Panthers reporter Mike Kaye wrote on Young and McMillan's connection, saying he's seen it blossom this offseason:
McMillan can join a pretty special club (Odell Beckham Jr., Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Marques Colston) by duplicating his production from his rookie season. While it took all 17 games for him to reach 70 catches, 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns, his chemistry has blossomed with QB Bryce Young this summer...
It feels like McMillan is on the verge of taking that next step to superstar status. If he can do that, it would mean big things for not only the receiver but for Young and the rest of the Panthers offense.
The only negative is that the Panthers wide receiver core is not very good behind McMillan, which could be a problem.
Either way, the Panthers appear to have a rising star in McMillan on the roster.
