Tetairoa McMillan, rookie wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, seems to be pretty pumped up to face Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Hunter in the opening game of the 2025 NFL season. McMillan and Hunter were both bagged in the first round of the draft and are expected to put on quite a show as they kick off their NFL rivalry this year.
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Jul 26, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) walks off after practice during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
While McMillan is a talented wide-out, Hunter will play a dual-role with the team, as both wide receiver and cornerback. While Hunter seems confident of his abilities, there are many who have shed light on the challenges that come with such a dual-role, mainly citing fatigue. For McMillan, this seems to be a major winning point as he admitted on NFL Network that he hopes that Hunter is tired enough to let him dominate.
“I don’t know. He’s probably going to play both sides, so hopefully he’s going to be a little bit more fatigued.” Tetairoa McMillan spoke on NFL Network about taking on Travis Hunter in Week 1.
Tetairoa McMillan vs. Travis Hunter in Week 1️⃣
How does the @Panthers rookie WR feel about that? 😂@CameronWolfe | @TomPelissero | @officialnalo pic.twitter.com/30ANz4fwC0
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 5, 2025
Carolina Panthers, Tetairoa McMillan
NFL Commissoner Rodger Goodell, left, with Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan selected by the Carolina Panthers as the number eight pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field.
Tetairoa McMillan was one of the most crucial moves that the Carolina Panthers made in this year’s draft and his addition will easily strengthen their roster. The team will be looking forward to improving their record when compared to their performance in the last season. The Panthers will be soon kicking off their preseason games this weekend, starting with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Tetairoa McMillan Shows Massive Improvement With Jaguars
Tetairoa McMillan, while already being a promising stud right out of college for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was seen fumbling in the first few days of training camp. However, towards the end of the camp, the young wide receiver has been showing major signs of improvement. While McMillan definitely has all the physical attributes of a talented wide-out at 6’ 4”, the wide-out’s actual skills will be seen in real-life as he takes on Travis Hunter in the first week of the upcoming NFL season.
Tetairoa McMillan
2025 NFL Draft Prospect Tetairoa McMillan, wide receiver at Arizona, speaks to the press after the Play Football Prospect Clinic event on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in the Titletown District in Ashwaubenon, Wis.
The Carolina Panthers will be looking up to starting quarterback Bryce Young to take the lead of their offense for the 2025 NFL campaign. The team definitely did not impress in the 2024 season and did not make it anywhere close to the playoffs. However, the team has managed to make several essential improvements to their roster during this offseason, and fans are hoping that these help their beloved Panthers churn out bigger numbers.
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