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Carolina Panthers WR makes list of worst NFL Week 1 preseason performers

The Carolina Panthers might have wished they had a better showing from one of their rising stars in the preseason opener.
Jeremy Brener|
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan didn't have the best debut for his new team.

The No. 8 overall pick was listed as one of the worst Week 1 preseason performers by Sportsnaut contributor Matt Johnson.

"As is the case with Ashton Jeanty, there’s no reason to be even a bit concerned about Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan after one preseason game," Johnson wrote.

"After all, C.J. Stroud was dreadful during the preseason in his first year and he’s turned into an NFL star. This was just not the greatest showing for the first wide receiver picked in the 2025 NFL Draft. While McMillan finished the game with 43 receiving yards on two receptions, he was also credited with two drops. One of those came in the end zone, caused by running a bad route. With the bad came some good, that being more reps to build rapport with Bryce Young and a great over-the-shoulder catch he made in tight coverage by the sideline. The arrow is pointing up for McMillan."

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan makes a catch during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan makes a catch during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The preseason is all about learning from mistakes and McMillan made a few during the team's first game against the Cleveland Browns.

It's not about how many mistakes these young players make, but rather how to respond from them.

We'll see how McMillan responds in the Panthers' second preseason game when they take on former No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET inside NRG Stadium in the Lone Star State.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan takes the field during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan takes the field during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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