Now that the 2025 season is in the books and the preparations for the 2026 offseason are well underway, we're going to take a look at where the Panthers stand for the future at each position. We'll cover one position group per day through the next two weeks, offering a look at where things stand in advance of free agency and the draft. The series started Monday with a look at the offensive line, then running backs on Tuesday, quarterbacks on Wednesday, and tight ends on Thursday.

CHARLOTTE — When the Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan last April, it threw narratives about the upcoming season into a blender. So many believed the club would take a defensive star in an effort to address a league-worst unit from the season before. Instead, Dan Morgan and Dave Canales saw a game-changing pass-catcher as the key to success. They were right.

McMillan finished the year not only leading all rookie receivers in every major category, but also came in 14th in the entire league with 1,014 yards. It earned the Arizona product offensive rookie of the year honors and set the standard for what this wide receiver corps can be in the coming years. As defenses titled their coverage more and more towards McMillan as the season wore on, Bryce Young was able to distribute the ball to uncovered guys, like Jalen Coker, leading to progress in the unit that become a foundation to build on.

"It was unbelievable to watch the guys," Canales bragged of the unit after the season. "Just really a culmination of the work that's been happening behind the scenes, at practice, the conversations in the hallways, in meeting rooms. Bryce right at the center of all that making be sure we're all on the same page with how we want to get things done and to watch the group really have to find a way to improve that.

"Really felt the chemistry of the group come alive in (the playoff) practice, which was cool just to see like, man, how much we've needed that time on task for this group. To see it come alive in the game and be something we could count on and depend on to play a really good Rams team here was fantastic. To see their energy, to see them not shy away from the moment but to attack it and find wins along the way."

McMillan led the way with 77 receptions for 1,095 yards and seven touchdowns (including postseason), while Coker — who missed the first six games with a quad injury — finished with 42 receptions for 528 yards and four touchdowns. Xavier Legette brought in 36 receptions for 371 yards but nabbed three touchdowns.

UNDER CONTRACT FOR 2026: Tetairoa McMillan (2028/2029 with fifth-year extension option), Xavier Legette (2027), Jimmy Horn Jr. (2028), Ja'seem Reed (2026), Ainias Smith (2026), Dan Chisena (2026).

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: Jalen Coker and Brycen Tremayne

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: David Moore

WHAT WENT RIGHT IN 2025

There were definitely some things that went wrong with the wide receiver corps in 2025, namely with some drops, but a lot also went right. McMillan and Coker proved themselves capable of being perimeter guys, with McMillan also flashing as a slot receiver who can dominate the intermediate part of the field.

"Jalen Coker and TMac produce for us in an incredible way, and the chemistry with Bryce has certainly grown," said Canales. "You want those guys on the field. You want them out there because of the impact they've made for us offensively."

Rookie Jimmy Horn was folded into the offense more and more towards the end of the season, particularly as a speedster, picking up seven first downs on 19 total touches.

Tremayne was on the field mostly as a blocker/fail safe when the Panthers went into a big line for the run game, but at 6-4, 212 pounds with sure hands, proved his worth in those situations. He finished with 14 receptions for 160 yards, with half of his receptions resulting in first downs.

NEXT STEPS FOR 2026

For a unit that has seen a lot of tinkering in recent years, there are still ample questions for the group heading into this offseason.

Veteran David Moore is an unrestricted free agent, meaning he can talk to any team he so chooses. He has spent most of his career with Canales though, and at 31 years old, what he's looking for in a team has changed than for someone coming off their first contract. He spent much of the season sidelined with an elbow injury though, and as the Panthers saw their young corps come to life, the question naturally arises as to whether or not they'd like to continue a youth movement. Moore does provide veteran presence in the room though.

Canales challenged Legette to raise his game this offseason, stating in his closing press conference, "Just keep grinding, keep working, connecting with Bryce, making sure they're on the same page. Making the plays when they come to him. It's that simple. When you get opportunity in this league, this game, all the margins are so fine. It's just critical that when you're called upon, when your number is called, you make the play. That's how you build trust and that's how you get things back on track."

Coker and Tremayne are both beholden to the Panthers for now; if the club offers them a contract, they can't negotiate with other teams. But there is also the possibility of longer term deals to hit the table, especially with Coker.

"I'm really proud of Jalen, just another guy that has been through adversity with injuries and has overcome it, and a credit to him," said Morgan after the season.

"Jalen's a prime example of that, just put the work in and he's a resilient guy," continued Morgan. "He came back, and he played great. So, in terms of the contract and stuff like that, again, me and (executive vice president of football operations) Brandt (Tilis) are talking through timing on when to extend him and give him a deal. That's all stuff we're going to talk about."

Regardless, expect Coker back next season. Canales told reporters at the end of the year that Coker and McMillan would have first shot at being starters for the 2026 season.

Said Canales, "They're going to have the first opportunity to be out there to start."