CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The boos for Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers began late in the second half of Sunday’s 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers when the second-year quarterback threw a short pass into the flats on third-and-15 that had no chance of a first down.

Young had a historically bad day, throwing for just 84 yards, which ranks him fourth in team history for fewest pass attempts by a quarterback with at least 25.

He became the third player in the past 20 seasons to average 4 or fewer yards per dropback in four consecutive starts. He has three interceptions and no touchdowns in two starts this season.

Still, first-year coach Dave Canales didn’t hesitate when asked who his starter would be next week against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.

“Bryce is our quarterback,” said the coach hired to turn Young around. “We’re going to continue to shore up and fix the things that we need to fundamentally, from a scheme standpoint, all those things.”

The Panthers are off to a second straight 0-2 start and fifth in the past six, having been outscored 72-13 by the Chargers and New Orleans Saints. Young, the top pick in the 2023 draft, is now 2-16 as a starter.

The only game he missed was in Week 3 a year ago when then-coach Frank Reich benched the rookie battling an ankle injury. Andy Dalton threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Young started the remainder of the season and Carolina scored 13 or fewer points in 10 of 14 games, including shutouts in the last two.

Carolina’s 13 points in the last four games since those shutouts are the fewest by a team in a four-game stretch since the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998. It is also the fewest by an NFL team in a four-game stretch since 1980.

But Canales and his players are confident that Young gives them the best chance of winning.

“No question about it, no question about it,” said wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was brought in to help Young get started but has made five catches for 34 yards in two games.

Veteran Adam Thielen agreed.

“I love that kid,” said Thielen, who was limited to two catches for 20 yards Sunday. “He’s working his ass off. It’s too early in the season to talk about that. We’ve got to work him better, give him confidence in what we’re doing.”

However, Thielen admitted his emotions got the better of him in the third quarter, when he became upset after Young was sacked on a play where he was wide open.

However, Thielen said his outburst on the sidelines had to do with “the last two weeks” and not one action.

“You don’t put all that work in the off-season to deliver the performances that we’re delivering,” he said. “You have so much expectation, you put all that work in, you’re in year two of a lot of guys coming back together, you want to see progression. And obviously we haven’t had that yet.”

The Panthers’ only touchdown in two games came on a scramble by Young against New Orleans. Initially ruled a fumble, replays showed he crossed the line first.

Canales attributed Thielen’s emotional outburst to frustration on everyone’s part.

Young understood.

“We’re all competitors,” he said. “We all want to win. Obviously we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, and that’s frustrating. Ultimately, we’re trying to do well on the sidelines for the future.”

Young also appreciated Canales’ announcement that he would start against the Raiders.

“I’m super thankful for Coach Canales,” he said. “I have total confidence in him as a coach, as a play caller in the system that he’s brought in. We’ve got to do a better job of executing and helping him.

“These are of course difficult times, but it is also a great opportunity for us, our relationship and the entire team to grow.”

Young also coped well with the boos.

“I respect the passion the city has for the team,” he said. “That’s part of it, of course.”