Mel Kiper Jr. tore into the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday after the benching of former Alabama QB Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Young’s size was a leading pre-Draft storyline. Kiper said the organization needed to commit to a plan for how they would use Young as a QB outside the typical NFL size range. The longtime ESPN analyst says the Panthers dropped the ball with Young.

“I think mishandled is the word,” Kiper said. “Because when you drafted Bryce Young, you knew he was an outlier. Russel Wilson was bigger, taller, but only 5-10 3/4, but that opens up for the 5-10 quarterback. Russel Wilson was 205 (pounds), 208 coming out, not 180. Kyler Murray, because of Russel Wilson, became the No. 1 pick overall – different body type. So you knew Bryce Young, not only short, but small, diminutive quarterback, needed help, right?”

Kiper aimed particularly at how Carolina set up Young for his second professional season.

“You draft a quarterback and he’s got this great infrastructure in Carolina around him, right, with the head coach, the coordinator, the quarterback coach – everything’s there, the senior assistant, everything’s in place,” Kiper said. “And then you see him beat C.J. Stroud on the field as a rookie, right? You take out the 3 games he threw multiple interceptions, he had some decent games last year.”

This offseason, the Panthers made big changes to their coaching staff, hiring former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

“Then you go into this year, change everything because ‘C.J. Stroud’s doing so well in Houston, we’ve got to destroy this thing! We’ve got to blow it up and start over! C.J. Stroud’s doing so great in Houston, (Carolina’s) coaches aren’t getting it done!'” Kiper continued. “(They) bring in an offense (head) coach who was with Baker (Mayfield) and others. Bring in a new pass game coordinator, new quarterback coach for Bryce Young.”

Kiper hammered the Panthers for not getting Young properly acquainted with the new system.

“(They) don’t even play him in the preseason. Play him one series in the final preseason game. … C.J. Stroud played in 2 preseason games this year. Derek Carr played in 2 preseason games. … Bryce Young played 1 series of the final preseason game against the nobodies on defense for the Buffalo Bills.

“Yes, his confidence was shattered. Yes, he does need to sit behind Andy Dalton for a little bit. But to blame this on Bryce Young is ridiculous. The blame here goes to the organization, the owner for a mishandling.”

While this isn’t how Young planned to start his career, he’s 23 years old and into only his second professional season. We’ll see what’s next for the fourth Heisman Trophy winner in Alabama history.