The Carolina Panthers were able to surprise a lot of people last season, winning the NFC South and hosting a playoff game. However, they were able to do that with one of their key pieces not playing up to their potential. With this being a major season to decide on their future at quarterback and wide rceceiver, one player knows he needs to be a star on the field. Let’s take a deeper dive into what he said and what it means for him going forward.
Xavier Legette is ready to improve in Year 3 with the Carolina Panthers
Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) runs on to the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The Carolina Panthers are hoping that Xavier Legette is able to continue progressing as he is a star in the making. The former 32nd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft spoke to the media this week and made it known that he is ready to kick into that next gear in 2026.
“My main thing is just to have a better year than my first two years. I can’t — I can’t — have another year like I did last year. I can’t do that… I didn’t really lose my starting job, they just kind of removed me from one personnel (package). I was still starting at 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end). But I mean, I’m a team player. If they feel like that’s what it takes for us to be in a position to win, then I’ll do it.”
Legette saw a drop in his production last season. He finished with 35 receptions on 64 targets for 363 yards (10.4 yards per catch) with three receiving touchdowns. He played in less than 70% of the Carolina Panthers’ total offensive snaps in one of the final nine games he played in. While he was seeing less targets, some of them went to 2025 first-round wide recevier Tetairoa McMillan, who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Legette have a three-headed monster at wide receiver with himself, McMillan, and Jalen Coker. Legette is excited to take that major step forward in Year 3. In addition, they drafted Chris Brazzell II in the third round of this year’s draft and signed John Metchie III, so he needs to improve or the team has options. Legette knows this and is ready for all the pressure.
“I feel like that I can always hold that pressure whenever the pressure is on me. But I kind of just put myself in a mindset of, ‘It’s do or die.’ And that kind of helps me do the things I need to do, and keep that pressure on myself to never take my foot off the gas.”
It will be intriguing to see how the former first-round pick does this season. This is a major season for him, as the Carolina Panthers make the decision next offseason on whether they will exercise Legette’s fifth-year option. Can he take that next step or is this the best we will see out of Legette with the Carolina Panthers?