Carolina Panthers

Adam Thielen sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Carolina Panthers wide receiver spoke about his NFL future on Friday and acknowledged that 2025 "could be" his final season.

"It could be, yeah," Thielen said Friday during a Panthers community event, per Joe Person of The Athletic. "I told you guys at the end of the season, like every year, you look back and you say, 'Hey, what left do I have to give to this game?' I talked to my family, and they wanted me to keep playing. So it'll be the same process."

The 34-year-old also said that he is not focused on his long-term future, and while his career is "definitely winding down," he will wait until after that season to evaluate things in full.

"Not gonna think about that right now. I'm gonna focus on being the best football player I can possibly be, and you have to have that mindset in this league," Thielen said, per Coral Smith of NFL.com. "And then once the season's over -- evaluate, see where we're at, see where the team's at, see where I'm at individually and as a family and figure it out. But definitely, definitely winding down my career. But excited about this year and what could happen."

Thielen is entering his 12th NFL season and third with the Panthers. He played in 10 games in 2024 and recorded 48 catches for 615 yards. He missed seven games in the middle of the season with a hamstring injury.

He is entering the final year of his contract with the Panthers and will have a cap hit of $10.1 million. Thielen will likely remain an impact receiver for third-year quarterback Bryce Young and will look to aid the development of second-year wide receiver Xavier Legette and rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

One NFL executive believes the Carolina Panthers got a comparable player to Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins by selecting Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick of the 2025 draft.

"I think he is like Tee Higgins. That is higher than Tee went, but you would still be getting a top-15 receiver in the league," the executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando about the Panthers' draft decision.

The Bengals also drafted edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, running back Trevor Etienne, safety Lathan Ransom, defensive tackle Cam Jackson, tight end Mitchell Evans and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.

"I do not think Carolina will look back on this draft class, with these players, and regret it. There were not a lot of blue-chip players," the executive told Sando.

McMillan, who matched Higgins' measurements by clocking in at 6'4'' and 219 pounds, was similarly compared to the Bengals star by B/R NFL scout Dame Parson ahead of the draft.

"McMillan is a stellar run-after-catch receiver who has spatial awareness, stop/start ability, and elusiveness to make defenders miss after he secures the ball," Parson wrote. "His play strength allows him room to work through arm tackles for more YAC. With his size advantage, McMillan converts contested catches well."

Tetairoa McMillan UNREAL TD 🤯

(via @CFBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/8IW8H2Js8d

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 16, 2024

The Panthers, who allowed an NFL-high 3,057 rushing yards against last season, surprised some analysts when the franchise targeted offense rather than defense with their first-round pick.

"We wanted to have the best player, we wanted to follow our board of who we thought was going to help us the most up there," Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said after the first round. "Again, we got our guy, and we're excited about it."

That choice could prove to be worth it for Morgan and the Panthers if McMillan can help third-year quarterback Bryce Young record a breakout season in 2025.

Despite being starved for talent on the defensive side of the ball, the Carolina Panthers recently made attempts to trade Jadeveon Clowney.

Per ESPN's David Newton, the Panthers had discussions about trading Clowney prior to the start of the 2025 NFL draft.

Even though nothing came of those talks, Newton noted Panthers general manager Dan Morgan offered a noncommittal response when asked about Clowney's future with the organization on Friday.

"We're still working through the roster," Morgan said. "We're still talking through things. Obviously, we're focused on the draft right now and what's in front of us."

After using the eighth overall pick on wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the Panthers focused their attention in the draft on defense. Their second and third-round picks were used on edge players Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.

Drafting two edge players would seem to make Clowney expendable, but this is still a defensive roster starting from such a low point that getting rid of a quality player would hurt their chances in 2025.

The Panthers had the worst defense in NFL history by points allowed last season (534). Even if you go by points allowed per game to account for the current 17-game schedule, they still had the fourth-worst defense since 1978 when the league expanded to 16 games.

One reason there could be difficulty in trading Clowney is his contract. The 2025 season is the final year of his current deal, but he will account for $13.8 million against the cap.

The Panthers could save $7.8 million against the cap if they release Clowney, though that wouldn't seem to make much sense since he is still an effective player.

Clowney recorded 11 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits and 5.5 tackles sacks in 14 games for the Panthers last season.

Hunter Renfrow is making his return to the NFL.

The wide receiver, who has been away from the league for a year, signed a deal with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

We have agreed to terms with Hunter Renfrow

Learn more here: https://t.co/e4mOf2KJTh@Verizon | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/oAmjB9n75M

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 27, 2025

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero first reported the signing.

Renfrow, 29, was a fifth-round pick out of Clemson in 2019, starting his career with the then-Oakland Raiders and remaining with the team as it moved to Las Vegas. He had a pair of strong seasons in 2019 and 2020 before a breakout year in 2021 in which he recorded 1,038 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod.

After the big year in 2021, Renfrow dealt with some injuries that led to a major drop-off in his production. He suffered a concussion in Week 2 before dealing with rib and hamstring injuries in November that led to him going on the injured reserve list. He played 10 games in 2022, recording 330 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2023, Renfrow was healthy for the entire season but couldn't find his groove as he finished with just 25 receptions for 255 yards. Las Vegas released him at the end of the season.

Before signing with the Panthers, Renfrow met with Pete Carroll and the new coaching staff in Las Vegas, but ultimately didn't end up reuniting with his former team.

Instead, the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, native will stay close to home as he looks to find his place in the NFL again. Renfrow, a star at Clemson, appeared to be on his way to being one of the best slot receivers in the league a few years ago. While his career took a detour, he now has the chance to be productive on a young Panthers squad.

The Carolina Panthers used the No. 114 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft on Saturday to select Georgia running back Trevor Etienne.

With the No. 114 overall pick in the 2025 @NFLDraft, the @Panthers select Trevor Etienne.

📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/6vlPSqggre

— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2025

Etienne, who is the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, will compete with Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle for playing time next season.

Carolina previously used the No. 8 overall pick on Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and with Etienne entering the fold as well, several fans took to social media to hype up the offensive weapons the Panthers have put around quarterback Bryce Young:

The Carolina Panthers just added another weapon to Bryce Young’s arsenal.

Georgia RB Trevor Etienne selected with the 114th overall pick.

— Sidelines - Bama (@SSN_Alabama) April 26, 2025

Bryce Young is getting a really good young team of weapons around him. McMillan and Etienne with Legette. That’s about to be 🔥🔥🔥

— Matthew Martinez (@coachmart21) April 26, 2025

Trevor Etienne if he can stay healthy the Panthers absolutely got a steal of the draft.

— sportsguyshow (@sportsguyshows) April 26, 2025

The Panthers…

- have 1100+ yard rusher Chuba Hubbard
- have 1000+ yard rusher Rico Dowdle
- have Jonathon Brooks (I know he’s probably not gonna play next year)
- have Trevor Etienne

This is awesome 🤣🤣😭

— Max Loeb (@loebsleads) April 26, 2025

Trevor Etienne and Chubba Hubbard are a formidable backfield 💪💪

— Rishabh B 🐝🤩 (@sourcreamstewie) April 26, 2025

Carolina getting help for Bryce Young! https://t.co/Py9mud5FQC

— Tiger Den Sports (@tigerdensports) April 26, 2025

I actually really liked the potential fit of Georgia RB Trevor Etienne with the #Panthers on Day 3! Think his skillset really plays well with the zone scheme and as a pass catcher from the backfield

Another young prospect with pedigree and potential. Nice work, Carolina 🤝 pic.twitter.com/mFGWMp676d

— Ricky Raines (@rickyboboddy) April 26, 2025

Trevor Etienne is going to be able to contribute in Carolina while not being asked to be the lead running back.

Nice complimentary piece for Bryce Young. Eight Bulldogs taken through the first 115 picks. Tied with Ohio State for the most to this point in the draft. https://t.co/b5IrSpY3SU

— Connor Riley (@Kconnorriley) April 26, 2025

Young was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and although he struggled mightily as a rookie and got benched early last season, he showed major improvement after winning back the starting job.

In 12 starts last season, Young went 4-8 after going just 2-14 as a rookie. He also completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 2,403 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The Panthers have now selected a wide receiver in the first round of back-to-back drafts after taking Xavier Legette last year and McMillan this year, plus they signed Dowdle in free agency and drafted Etienne to form a strong backfield stable along with Hubbard, who rushed for 1,195 yards last season.

Etienne began his college career at Florida, rushing for 719 yards in 2022 and 753 yards in 2023 before transferring to Georgia.

While he missed some time due to injury last season, he still managed to rush for 609 yards and nine scores, while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

Additionally, he proved to be a multi-dimensional back with a career-high 32 receptions and 194 receiving yards.

Etienne may not make a huge impact as a rookie with Hubbard and Dowdle ahead of him on the depth chart, but he provides insurance and a three-down skill set that could be of great use to Carolina in the future.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young lobbied the team to pick Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the 2025 NFL draft.

McMillan told reporters that Young made his preference very clear to Panthers general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales.

"Going into Mr. Morgan's office, going into coach Canales' office and really just sitting on the table for me and telling them, 'Hey, man, we need to pick this guy,'" he said. "Although I feel like I did what I needed to do to be in this position, I give credit to Bryce for vouching for me and ultimately for them taking a chance on me."

Tetairoa McMillan says that Bryce Young went into Dan Morgan’s and Dave Canales’ offices and told them they need to pick him. pic.twitter.com/uEmE9OGhvy

— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) April 25, 2025

McMillan had 3,423 receiving yards and 26 touchdown grabs in three years at Arizona. He was the No. 8 overall player and top-ranked wideout on Bleacher Report's big board.

B/R scout Dame Parson compared the Wildcats star to Tee Higgins and Mike Evans.

"In conclusion, Tetairoa McMillan is a fantastic receiving threat who brings a ton to the table," he wrote. "NFL offensive coordinators will appreciate his versatility and the litany of ways he can win in their offensive structure. He projects as a No. 1 wide receiver who you pepper with a high amount of targets per game."

It's easy to see why Young wanted McMillan so badly and why the organization shared that vision. Adam Thielen, who led the team in receiving yards in 2023 and 2024, will turn 35 in August. Carolina needed a better long-term aerial partner for its franchise quarterback.

The one criticism of their first-round strategy is that the Panthers were last in both yards and points allowed last year. Focusing on defense in the top 10 might've been a smarter call.

Should McMillan's arrival help Young advance in his development, he'll more than validate Carolina's final decision.

The Carolina Panthers selected Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday, giving quarterback Bryce Young a new target.

However, those two have gotten to know each other before the selection, with the pair already working out in Los Angeles, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

With plenty of trade options, the #Panthers stick and pick: They select at No. 8 #Arizona star WR Tetairoa McMillan -- T-Mac.

He's been quietly throwing with QB Bryce Young in LA. They two are already developing a connection.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2025

Panthers coach Dave Canales said Tet McMilllan became the pick when the Browns took Michigan DT Mason Graham at 5. pic.twitter.com/jEzNHKPi3m

— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2025

McMillan finished eighth overall on the final B/R NFL Scouting Department big board.

McMillan was a highly productive wide receiver at Arizona. He caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023 before adding an 84/1,319/8 stat line in 2024. He was the No. 2 ranked wideout on the B/R NFL Scouting department big board behind Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter.

"NFL offensive coordinators will appreciate his versatility and the litany of ways he can win in their offensive structure," B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson wrote. "He projects as a No. 1 wide receiver who you pepper with a high amount of targets per game."

The Panthers need that from the 6'4", 219-pound McMillan, who presents a big target for Young to pair with alongside the 6'3", 227-pound Xavier Legette (No. 32 overall pick in the 2024 draft).

Carolina needed a true WR1 on the team. No Panther pass-catcher had more than 49 receptions, 615 yards or five scores last year.

He also seems like a good fit on paper, particularly with the deep ball. Josh Norris of Underdog provided more information.

16 minutes on NEW Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan

🔵⚫️

Bryce Young ended last season as (statistically) one of the best 20+ yard passers in the NFL. T-Mac will only push that even higherhttps://t.co/ppWtGNsslW pic.twitter.com/wUDqG2dKjw

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 25, 2025

So McMillan can come in and easily be Young's top target. It appears they've gotten to know each other already, so that gets their offseason off to a great start.

The Carolina Panthers could reportedly trade back in Thursday's NFL Draft.

The Panthers currently have the No. 8 pick, but are "the most likely team in the top 10 to move out," per The Ringer's Todd McShay.

"I am told by a credible source, and then I vetted it after that... the Carolina Panthers are the most likely team in the top 10 to move out," McShay said on The McShay Show (32:00 mark). "I'm actually told that Dan Morgan and the organization would consider a less-than-market deal to move back."

McShay noted that if the Panthers keep their pick, one possible option would be Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, but they'd be more likely to trade back and hope that Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen is still available.

Nolen, who started his career at Texas A&M and spent his final season with the Rebels, racked up 48 tackles and 6.5 sacks in his final season.

While his collegiate numbers are strong, Nolen hasn't been pegged as a top-10 pick in this year's draft. Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department projects the Los Angeles Chargers to take him at No. 22, and he is the 14th overall player on the latest big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

A pair of defensive standouts from Georgia are high on the Carolina Panthers' 2025 draft board, according to The Ringer's Todd McShay.

The draft guru reported Tuesday on The McShay Show that Carolina "wants" Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker "but likes Mykel Williams a lot." McShay projected the Panthers to ultimately take Williams to improve their pass rush.

Walker and Williams rank 11th and 27th respectively on Bleacher Report's big board. The former was the choice for Carolina in B/R's most recent mock draft.

"Walker's best position at the next level is still unknown, but Carolina could use help at linebacker and edge-rusher," B/R NFL scout Matt Holder said of the pick. "The defense gets both with the Georgia product as he could be a future building block alongside defensive tackle Derrick Brown."

Walker finished with 60 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2024. He's a versatile defender who could fill multiple roles within Carolina's defense, so taking him in the top 10 wouldn't be a reach.

Williams projects as more of a pure edge-rusher, though his 14 sacks in three years at Georgia point to how he has a lot of room to grow. He'd be more of a true successor to two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns.

Regardless of which prospect is the final choice, focusing on defense in the first round is the right call for Carolina. The Panthers ranked last in yards (404.5) and points (31.4) allowed per game.

The performance of quarterback Bryce Young after he regained the starting job was encouraging. However, the team isn't going anywhere without improvements to its defense.

The Carolina Panthers selected Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen with the No. 77 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Princely Umanmielen will make his money in the NFL as a pass-rusher. He sets up his move well by changing speeds, using hesitation moves or selling the vertical rush to open up a lane and win inside.

Umanmielen accelerates off the line of scrimmage well to beat offensive tackles with speed around the edge and has a good counter with a nasty inside spin move. Also, he has the change of direction and strength to turn speed to power and has shown solid cross-chop and rip moves and decent bend around the edge.

The biggest issue with the Ole Miss product is he's more of a long strider to accelerate which can impact his short-area quickness or twitch. However, he's shown plenty of ways to win to help overcome that.

Against the run, Umanmielen is more solid than good. He has the block recognition to put himself in a good position to take on blocks and the strength to set the edge. But he isn't very physical at the point of attack and isn't a violent block shedder, leading to him blending in more often than standing out in that department.

Overall, Umanmielen would be a good fit as a standup linebacker for a team that uses a lot of odd fronts. He can contribute as a pass-rusher right away and is good enough to get by as a run defender to become a full-time starter by his second or third season, if not sooner.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 264

HAND: 9⅝”

ARM: 33⅞”

WINGSPAN: 82⅛”

40-YARD DASH: 4.72

3-CONE: 7.15

SHUTTLE: 4.46

VERTICAL: 38"

BROAD: 10'6"

POSITIVES

— Good size and frame and appears to have long arms.

— Solid speed off the line to win around the edge as a pass rusher.

— Sets up his pass-rush moves well during the stem phase of the rush.

— Has shown several ways to win as a pass-rusher, using inside and outside moves as well as power.

— Quick to get his hands up as a run defender and shows good strength at the point of attack to set the edge.

— Good block recognition to put himself in a position to take on blocks.

NEGATIVES

— Can be late to react to the snap, hindering his get-off.

— Is a long strider when accelerating off the line which hurts his quickness and twitch.

— Lacks some physicality at the point of attack against the run.

— Not a violent shedder to stack and shed and get off blocks.

— Struggles to sink his hips and fight back against pressure when slanting due to pad level and base issues.

NOTES

— Born April 18, 2002

— 4-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Transferred from Florida ahead of 2024 season

— Injuries: 2024 (Shoulder/Labrum offseason surgery, no games missed; Foot, missed 2 games)

— 2023: Second-Team All-SEC

GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 52

POSITION RANK: EDGE8

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Danielle Hunter

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder