Mel Kiper Jr. hammers Panthers over handling of Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers have benched Bryce Young after just two games this season, and Mel Kiper Jr. is not having it.

The longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst appeared on “Get Up” Tuesday and criticized the Panthers for mishandling Young.

“I think it’s mishandled is the word. Because when you drafted Bryce Young, you knew he was an outlier,” Kiper Jr. said regarding Young’s size.

“So you knew Bryce Young is not only short but small, diminutive quarterback needed help. … but then you go into this year, you change everything because C.J. Stroud is doing so great in Houston … so we bring in an offensive coach, bring in a new pass game coordinator, new quarterback coach for Bryce Young. Then we don’t play him in the preseason!”

Kiper believes the Panthers mishandled Young in many areas. That includes getting rid of all the coaches from Young’s rookie season, bringing in all new coaches for this season, but then not having Young play in the preseason, making snap-changes because C.J. Stroud is exceeding elsewhere, and then benching Young.

“Yes, his confidence was shattered … but to blame this on Bryce Young is ridiculous. The blame here goes to the organization, to the owner, for mishandling,” Kiper said.

Young was said to have been shocked by the decision , which will result in Andy Dalton starting in Week 3 for Carolina against the Raiders.

Young had passed for 245 yards, no touchdowns and 3 interceptions in two games prior to his benching.

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