The Carolina Panthers have made the surprising decision to bench rookie quarterback Bryce Young after just two games, and ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is voicing his frustration with how the team has handled the young star. During an appearance on “Get Up” Tuesday, Kiper didn’t hold back in his criticism, calling the Panthers’ management of Young’s situation a complete misstep.
“I think ‘mishandled’ is the right word,” Kiper said, pointing out that the team knew exactly what they were getting when they drafted Bryce Young first overall. The analyst was quick to remind viewers that Young’s size—being both shorter and smaller than most NFL quarterbacks—was a known factor that required extra care in his development. “When you drafted Bryce Young, you knew he was an outlier,” Kiper added, noting that his stature demanded a tailored approach that the Panthers seemingly ignored.
Kiper went on to explain how the Panthers made a series of puzzling decisions that have ultimately harmed Young’s growth. “You knew a small, diminutive quarterback like Bryce needed help. But instead of building around him properly, they changed everything,” Kiper stated, referencing the organization’s decision to overhaul the coaching staff after Young’s rookie season.
What frustrated Kiper even more was the apparent knee-jerk reaction by the Panthers to the early success of fellow rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud in Houston. “Because C.J. Stroud is doing great in Houston, now we’re scrambling, bringing in a new offensive coach, a new pass game coordinator, a new quarterback coach for Bryce Young. But then you don’t play him in the preseason! How does that make sense?” Kiper asked rhetorically, criticizing the team’s lack of foresight.
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Kiper argued that the Panthers’ poor handling extended beyond just coaching changes. He was particularly irked by the lack of preseason reps for Young, which he believed could have helped the quarterback get accustomed to the speed and intensity of the NFL. Instead, the Panthers threw Young into regular-season action without enough preparation and are now benching him after two tough outings, in which he passed for 245 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Kiper also made it clear that putting the blame on Young for his early struggles is completely unfair. “Yes, his confidence was shattered, but to blame this on Bryce Young is ridiculous,” Kiper said. “The blame here goes to the organization, to the owner, for mishandling the situation.” According to Kiper, the constant changes and lack of stability in the Panthers’ approach have set up the rookie quarterback to fail.
Young himself was reportedly blindsided by the decision, which will see veteran Andy Dalton take over as the starter for Week 3 against the Raiders. While some may argue that a break from the starting role could benefit Young in the long run, Kiper firmly believes that the way the situation has been handled will do more harm than good.
For now, the spotlight shifts to the Panthers’ organization and their ability to steer Young’s development back on course.
But if they continue down the current path, Kiper warns, they may end up stunting the career of a quarterback they initially viewed as a franchise savior.
