Panthers great Cam Newton reacts to team's selection of WR Tetairoa McMillan
Panthers great Cam Newton reacts to team's selection of WR Tetairoa McMillan
Unlike fellow franchise great Steve Smith Sr., Cam Newton appreciates what the Carolina Panthers just did with their first-round pick.
Newton, on Thursday's episode of 4th & 1 with Cam Newton, was asked about his expectations for the Panthers, quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan—the eighth overall selection of the 2025 NFL draft. And while he does give his stamp of approval on the choice, the franchise's all-time leading passer also gives a bit of advice to the rookie.
"When I look at the Carolina Panthers' draft, I'm extremely pleased—because now you've attacked a need at the receiver position," Newton stated. "Now my question with that specific pick is: Are you gonna take your job serious?
"There's been reports that says that you don't watch film. That's not gonna be the case now, 'cause you have to watch film. Your career's dependent on that. You have to become the best version of yourself. Sharpening your skill set. His catch radius is probably bigger than any other receiver in this draft. He's a big-body guy who can move as well and that's what Bryce will need."
McMillan, in a short YouTube documentary that was published two years ago, claimed that he did not watch football film. That, of course, made the rounds in the lead-up to this year's selection process, and painted the All-American pass catcher in a not-so-flattering light.
The 22-year-old receiver addressed those concerns during his introductory press conference at Bank of America Stadium last Friday.
"Yeah, that was from my freshman year of high school," he told reporters. "I definitely have grown, I've definitely matured since that. I feel like I wouldn't be here in front of all of y'all today without loving this game, without watching film. That was just young and dumb freshman me."
Fortunately, it seems as though that's far behind McMillan. But if it's not, he'd be wise to listen to Newton—who actually has experience trying to play with a big-bodied first-round wideout that failed to become the best version of himself.
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