Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik discussed the ongoing development of rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan during a media session on Thursday. Idzik highlighted the importance of building on McMillan’s strengths while also ensuring that defenses cannot easily anticipate his routes.
“For him, it’s just continuing to develop the complementary routes to protect some of his babies,” said Idzik. He explained that “babies” refers to key routes that McMillan runs well, particularly in-breaking patterns. “Some of his key routes, really, you look at him and some of his in-breakers are probably one of the most high production things that he does for us,” Idzik said. He added, “and we know Bryce Young throws that ball well, that’s not a secret, so I feel good about saying that—but protecting that with double moves off of it, or the same stem and working a different route concept off of it, so defensive coordinators can’t just lean on certain leverages knowing, ‘Hey, here it comes, this is only the in-breaker.
“It’s like no we to have the out, the double move, and something else off that stem to complement it.”
Statistics show McMillan has run in-breaking routes 37.1 percent of the time this season and vertical routes 39.7 percent of the time. His performance on in-breaking routes has resulted in 111 yards—tied for seventh-most among NFL receivers—with 41 yards after catch placing him fourth among all receivers.
Idzik emphasized the need for continued physical play at the line of scrimmage as defenses adapt to McMillan’s success. “Doing a great job at the line of scrimmage is another piece that—guys are going to continue to challenge us at the line of scrimmage, have to be physical, have to play with their hands,” he said. “He’s done that. He’s got to make sure that he’s consistent in doing that when guys want to come up and press… finish some of those plays downfield…”
Coaches are focused on supporting this development by refining route schemes during team meetings early in each week. “Continuing to flesh those things out as a staff… make sure we’re protecting them, protecting what they do best within a route scheme…” said Idzik.
He noted McMillan’s instincts and timing as further assets: “For TMac, he has a general football understanding of timing for the quarterback… So you’ll see him a lot of the time, his routes don’t look like the lines on the page but he gets to the window in… time for the quarterback…”
On defense, coordinator Ejiro Evero praised rookie pass-rusher Nic Scourton for his work ethic and impact since joining Carolina’s starting lineup following an injury to Patrick Jones II. Evero stated: “This guy, he’s unbelievable… I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a player… play so hard.” He described Scourton as coachable and dedicated: “Since day one… phenomenal work habits… great in classroom…”
Scourton currently ranks second among rookies with 20 quarterback pressures and three sacks this season—a pace compared by Evero to George Karlaftis’ rookie campaign with Kansas City.
“When you work and prepare… you’re going to get better,” Evero added regarding Scourton’s improvement.
Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith addressed how indoor stadium conditions affect return specialists despite fewer weather-impacted games remaining this season. Smith cited challenges such as varying roof color or texture affecting visibility for punt returners indoors: “The biggest difference for us is… our returners are looking… seeing ball in roof… That can be challenging depending on how their lights are structured.”
Smith described specific venues like New Orleans’ Superdome—where lighting impacts tracking punts—and Atlanta’s translucent roof providing different backgrounds for spotting kicks.
Last year against Atlanta indoors was notable because Falcons did not punt during their overtime game versus Carolina; most drives ended with points or turnovers rather than special teams action.
