Panthers’ Xavier Legette aims to stop the drops, as he pairs up with rookie Tetairoa McMillan
Xavier Legette knows what’s being said. He hears the noise. The drops, the missed chances, the inconsistency. For a wide receiver trying to carve out his place in the NFL, that kind of chatter sticks. But for Legette, it’s also fuel. As the Carolina Panthers gear up for a new season, he’s locking in with a renewed focus, determined to silence the critics and prove he belongs. Teaming up with rookie Tetairoa McMillan, one of the most intriguing young receivers entering the league, Legette is embracing both the pressure and the opportunity in front of him.
This offseason hasn’t been quiet for the Panthers’ receiving corps. There’s been a lot of shifting, a lot of questions, and a lot of eyes zeroed in on who’s going to step up for second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The expectations are sky-high for growth after a turbulent rookie campaign for the signal caller, and part of that responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of his wideouts. That’s where Legette comes in. The former South Carolina standout has all the physical tools. He’s big, explosive, tough after the catch, and can stretch the field when he’s on. But consistency hasn’t been his friend so far, especially when it comes to holding onto the ball in key moments.
Dropped passes can derail a drive. They kill rhythm, waste clean pockets, and frustrate everyone from quarterbacks to coaches to fans. Legette has had his share, and he knows it. He also knows the NFL doesn’t wait around for anyone to figure it out. But he’s not running from the problem. He’s attacking it head-on. Extra reps before and after practice, film sessions focused on technique and body positioning, drills with the jugs machine, and most importantly, a mental reset have all been part of Legette’s strategy this offseason. He’s made it clear he wants to be more than just a depth guy or a flash-in-the-pan playmaker. He wants to be someone the team can count on.
And as the Panthers look to define their offensive identity under new head coach Dave Canales, that reliability is more valuable than ever. Canales comes in with a reputation for building smart, efficient passing games that get the most out of their weapons. For receivers, that means opportunities—but it also means expectations. Every rep matters. Every route has a purpose. Every drop gets magnified. In that kind of system, Legette knows there’s no room for error, which is exactly why his offseason work has taken on so much urgency.
What makes this moment even more interesting is the arrival of Tetairoa McMillan, the talented rookie out of Arizona. McMillan brings a different kind of flavor to the Panthers’ offense. Long, fluid, with strong hands and an excellent feel for the sideline, he looks every bit like a future WR1. His college tape was filled with circus catches, precise footwork, and the kind of catch radius quarterbacks dream about. Already, McMillan has made waves in camp, drawing praise from coaches and creating buzz around the league. But instead of shrinking in the face of this new competition, Legette is doing the opposite—he’s embracing the challenge and using it to fuel his own game.
There’s a quiet chemistry forming between the two young receivers. Despite being close in age, Legette is taking on something of a mentorship role for McMillan, helping him with route adjustments, tempo, and the general flow of an NFL offense. In return, McMillan is pushing Legette to stay sharp, to elevate his level of detail, and to match the polish that the rookie already brings. They’re not battling against each other. They’re battling together, each trying to get better and build something the Panthers can rely on. The dynamic is competitive, sure, but it’s also collaborative. It’s a rising tide, and both receivers seem committed to lifting each other up.
There’s also an emotional edge to Legette’s story. For a player who’s seen the ups and downs of college football, who wasn’t handed anything and had to earn every rep, the NFL represents not just a dream but a mission. He’s not here to just wear a jersey. He wants to leave a legacy. That means putting in the work, owning his mistakes, and showing the coaching staff that he can be trusted when the lights are brightest. That’s been the mantra for Legette this offseason: earn trust, don’t just assume it.
Trust is a theme that resonates throughout the Panthers’ locker room. Bryce Young is looking for it in his pass-catchers. Dave Canales is trying to build it in his system. The fan base is waiting to feel it from the team again. For a player like Legette, it’s the currency of opportunity. Make the plays you’re supposed to make. Turn the contested balls into completions. Run crisp routes. Be where you’re supposed to be. That’s the roadmap. And with McMillan alongside him, learning, growing, and flashing his own upside, Legette knows the competition will be relentless. He also knows that iron sharpens iron, and he’s ready for the fire.
It’s early, and preseason reps are just that—reps. But the tone is being set now. If Legette wants to be more than a name on the roster, if he wants to become a difference-maker, it has to start in moments like this. It starts with turning heads in practice. It starts with making the catch in traffic that he dropped a year ago. It starts with winning the trust of his quarterback and coaches and showing that he belongs in the conversation about the Panthers’ top weapons.
There’s reason to believe it’s coming together. Reports out of training camp say Legette looks quicker off the line, more confident in his breaks, and more aggressive at the catch point. He’s not just going through the motions—he’s attacking the moment. When asked about his chemistry with Young, Legette’s response was simple but telling. He said he wants to be where Bryce needs him to be, when he needs him to be there. That’s a veteran mindset, and it shows he understands the assignment.
As for McMillan, the rookie seems unfazed by the speed of the game so far. That’s great news for the Panthers, who are hoping this duo can grow together and form a reliable core for years to come. While McMillan has the polish and Legette brings the grit, together they represent a changing of the guard in Carolina’s receiving room. The offense is being built around young, hungry players who want to change the narrative—and that includes changing their own.
Legette isn’t running from the pressure. He’s meeting it head-on, alongside a rookie who’s breathing new life into the Panthers’ offense. The drops might have defined part of his past, but they won’t define his future—not if he has anything to say about it. With the preseason heating up and the regular season looming, the time for talking is just about over. It’s time to show up, lock in, and catch everything that comes your way.
For Xavier Legette, this season is personal. And if early signs are any indication, he’s ready to flip the script.
