NO PARTY ONLY PRACTICE: Legend Steve Smith Sr. Praises Panthers' Star WR Endlessly When He Sees Him Practicing Hard During Carolina's Bye Week
Can you believe it? While most NFL players are enjoying their bye week partying and relaxing, there's a rookie from the Carolina Panthers choosing a different path: burying his head in the practice field until late at night! And this has made Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. completely change his perspective, from initial disappointment to endless praise. What's going on here? Let's dive into the impressive performance of this guy, who's making the whole team rethink things.
At first, things weren't smooth at all. Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, everyone thought the Panthers would prioritize defense, specifically selecting edge rusher Jalon Walker from Georgia at the No. 8 overall pick. Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. was in that camp too, and he didn't hesitate to express his disappointment with the offensive selection. He once thought the team needed edge defensive strength more than adding weapons for quarterback Bryce Young. But then, everything changed. Smith admitted he was wrong on his podcast, praising general manager Dan Morgan for the decision to wait until Day 2 to address the edge position, instead of rushing. Thanks to that, the Panthers got a new "big weapon," helping the team avoid a dire situation without this guy.
And now, let's talk about the star in question: Tetairoa McMillan! McMillan's performance is truly astonishing, with his outstanding receiving skills becoming a solid foundation for Bryce Young. Not stopping there, McMillan also shows extraordinary dedication during Carolina's bye week. When his teammates had all gone home, he still stayed on the field practicing until late at night, not missing a single session even though it was rest time. This has made Steve Smith Sr. "tip his hat" in admiration, especially when he witnessed it firsthand during the Hall of Honor ceremony at halftime of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium.
Smith couldn't hide his emotions: "I once thought he was the wrong choice, but now I have to say that Tetairoa McMillan is a true warrior – he doesn't party, only practices, and that dedication will take the Panthers to new heights! I'm proud to have been wrong, because he deserves it!"
Of course, the Panthers still need to improve their edge defense – with Nic Scourton having the potential for 10 sacks per season, but Princely Umanmielen progressing slowly, while DJ Wonnum and Patrick Jones II have completely failed. The offseason priority is finding another legitimate edge threat, while continuing to build support around Young, like a reliable tight end target in the style of Mitchell Evans. But with McMillan, the Panthers' future is brighter than ever. What do you think about this "no party only practice" guy? Share your thoughts below!
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