NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year Odds: Carolina Panthers’ Tetairoa McMillan Playing Like Veteran

The Carolina Panthers need help with their passing game. Outside of rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, big-play production has been scarce.  

Entering Week 11, the Panthers’ passing game produced just 21 plays of 20 or more yards and one of at least 40 yards. Under quarterback Bryce Young’s direction, the Panthers average just 5.36 per passing play, which ranks No. 29 in the NFL. 

Of the Panthers’ 21 explosive plays, McMillan played a role in 10 of them. The No. 8 overall draft pick paces the young receiver group with 77 targets and his 618 yards are 95 more than the six other receivers who have registered at least one reception.   

“We certainly try to make (McMillan) an emphasis of what we’re doing and that continues to be a part of what we’re doing, but we count on the other guys to make those plays as well,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said after Sunday’s 17-7 loss to the visiting New Orleans Saints. “I think it’s collectively where we have to go as a pass game.” 

For the Panthers (5-5) to make a run at the playoffs for the first time since 2015, Young likely will need to develop a dependable downfield passing game. The Saints focused on stopping the Panthers’ run game and dared Young and the receivers to beat their predominant man-on-man coverage. Young completed just one pass over 13 yards, a 26-yarder to McMillan, who remains a top candidate to earn the NFL offensive rookie of the year award. 

FanDuel Sportsbook listed McMillan with +3000 odds to capture the top first-year player honor. Based on his NFL-high five receiving touchdowns of 20 or more yards, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Emeka Egbuka (-170) remains the overwhelming sports-betting favorite to earn the award.

“For TMac, he has a general football understanding of timing for the quarterback, also, where the window (is) to throw,” Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik said during Thursday’s teleconference.

#Panthers QB Bryce Young hits his new #NFL primary WR Tetairoa McMillan … pic.twitter.com/woM4QvdZWI

— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) August 28, 2025

2025 NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year Odds

Here is a Week 11 look at the NFL’s winning odds for the 2025 offensive rookie of the year honor, according to FanDuel Sportsbook:

*-Odds current at time of publication