CHARLOTTE — After a two week stretch in which Tetairoa McMillan has been recognized multiple ways as a rookie of the year candidate, the receiver has now been named a finalist for the most prestigious of them all; the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year award.

The Associated Press announced McMillan as a finalist Thursday morning.

As a finalist, McMillan will attend NFL Honors on February 5, the award show annually held the Thursday before the Super Bowl honoring the best and brightest in the NFL this past season. The winner of both the AP offensive and defensive rookie of the year awards will be announced at that time.

The rest of the rookie offensive finalists are: Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson, and Saints QB Tyler Shough.

Earlier this week, McMillan was named both the offensive rookie and overall rookie of the year by the PFWA (pro football writers of America), as well as to the group's All-Rookie team. He is also a finalist for the fan vote rookie of the year. Fans can vote at this link until January 30.

McMillan, the No. 8 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft out of Arizona, started all 17 games for the Panthers and caught 70 passes on 122 targets for 1,014 yards (14.5 per catch average) and seven touchdowns. The 1,014 receiving yards was the most by a rookie in franchise history, while his seven touchdown catches are second most in Panthers history and the most by any NFL rookie this season.

A total of 27 of his 70 catches were explosive receptions (16+ yards), which are the most explosive receptions and explosive plays by a NFL rookie this season. McMillan also caught seven passes on fourth down, six of which produced first downs for Carolina.

Among all NFL players, he finished the season tied for the most catches on fourth down and totaled the most explosive receptions on those six receptions with five. McMillan had a pair of 100-yard receiving games, and he registered a catch in all 17 games. He was the NFL Rookie of the Week when he caught three passes for 29 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-27 victory over Dallas in Week 6.

McMillan, speaking on the possibility of being a finalist at the end of the season, deferred to his team.

"Shoot, I mean, obviously, I think that's a testament to this team," said the receiver. "Everybody knows that you can't win any individual awards without your team being good. So, obviously, us being good has allowed me to be in those talks. But whatever happens, happens."

As for those teammates though, they are certain of what will come in two weeks.

"TMac, he was him," bragged quarterback Bryce Young of his top receiver. "He was, he's exactly who he's been. He was elite; he's a special player. He'll be the offensive rookie of the year."