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Panthers rookie breaks franchise record during Buccaneers game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Rex Villas | Last updated Jan 3, 2026 8:12 PM ET

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is proving to be a promising weapon downfield for the Carolina Panthers, and he’s got a franchise record to back that up.

In the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s crucial matchup between the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., Panthers quarterback Bryce Young connected with McMillan for a huge 40-yard gain on a 4th-and-8 with just over three minutes left in regulation.

McMillan’s reception not only gave Carolina a fresh set of downs on a drive capped by a Jalen Coker touchdown catch, but it also earned the former Arizona Wildcats star wide receiver a new Panthers franchise record.

McMillan entered the Bucs game needing 79 more receiving yards to break the rookie mark set by wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin in 2014, and he surpassed that mark with that catch late in the fourth quarter.

Tetairoa McMillan breaks Kelvin Benjamin’s franchise rookie record of 1,008 receiving yards set in 2014

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Benjamin set the previous record in just 16 games and on 73 receptions and 145 targets, while McMillan broke that mark in his 17th game and on 70 catches and 122 targets.

McMillan’s achievement, however, was overshadowed by Carolina’s 16-14 loss to Tampa Bay.

Now, McMillan and the Panthers will have to hope that the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday to win the NFC South and clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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