His awareness on the field may sometimes leave a little to be desired, but Carolina Panthers wideout Xavier Legette is very aware of the implications off of it.
The third-year receiver was a guest on Tuesday's episode of Up & Adams. And as he tells host Kay Adams, Legette knows that 2026 is most likely a make-or-break campaign in regards to his future in Carolina . . .
"I hope to be in Carolina my whole career."
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) September 22, 2026
Xavier Legette is ALL-IN on building something with the Panthers 🫡@XavierLegette | @Panthers | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/ouSEprjgCF
Legette has failed to live up to the billing of the first-round pick the organization used on him back in 2024. Through 33 games since, he's amassed just 86 receptions for 924 yards and seven touchdowns.
During that time, Legette has been passed in the pecking order by 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, an undrafted free-agent signee from Carolina's 2024 rookie class. That was evident down the stretch of the Panthers' playoff push in 2025—where Legette's snap share decreased, week by week, over the final four regular-season contests.
But perhaps it's time to "do" in 2026.
While he was held catch-less in this year's opener, Legette did reel in an eye-opening 55-yard grab in this past Sunday's 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Dave Canales, at his post-game presser, heralded the catch as the tipping point of the victory.
Hopefully for Legette, that moment could also serve as the turning point for his NFL career.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: WR Xavier Legette acknowledges harsh reality of his future with Panthers
