CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers fell to 0-2 on the season with a dreadful 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and Bryce Young could not look more lost as an NFL starting quarterback.
Whether it was the crossfield scramble that resulted in a sack that kicked the Panthers out of field goal range in the first quarter, the interception into double coverage in the second quarter, or the jump pass attempt that hit the back of an offensive lineman in the fourth quarter, Young did little to improve his stock in Sunday's loss to the Chargers.
Young finished with just 84 yards passing while completing 18 of 26 passes, which adds up to just 4.6 yards per completion (YPC). It's the first time a quarterback has finished with under 100 yards while completing at least 18 passes. No quarterback has ever finished a game completing over 11 passes with such a low YPC.
Panthers voiced their displeasure for Young with loud boos toward the quarterback during the game against the Chargers -- not exactly the way Carolina envisioned their home opener.
Head coach Dave Canales says he is committed to Young despite the rough start to the season.
"Bryce is our quarterback," Canales said after the loss to the Chargers. "We're going to continue to fix up things we need to fundamentally from a scheme standpoint."
Canales' comments are obvious coachspeak but he did make sure to push the blame onto the whole team rather than just Young.
"I can't make any specific comments about one player," Canales said. "We're all frustrated and we'd all like to play better football."
The Panthers brought in Canales hoping he could boost Young to No. 1 pick worthiness. Canales was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, resurrecting Baker Mayfield's career. He did the same thing with Geno Smith on the Seattle Seahawks the previous season.
Young struggled in 16 starts during his rookie season as the Panthers finished with the NFL's worst record at 2-15. Young threw for just 2877 yards, the second-fewest by a No. 1 quarterback who played at least 14 games. Young's paltry 5.5 yards per attempt in 2023 was the worst among No. 1 quarterbacks who started more than eight games.
Carolina added wide receivers Dionte Johnson and Xavier Legette, and guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to give Young weapons and protection.
Young has not shown improvement with the help. The 84 yards Young threw for on Sunday are the fewest in his 18 starts. No player had ever completed at least 18 passes while throwing under 100 yards, so at least Young is setting some records for the Panthers.
"This is obvious tough times but it's a great opportunity for the whole team to grow," Young said after Sunday's loss.
When asked about fans who booed him on Sunday, Young said he respects Panthers fans and acknowledges that's a part of the game.
"It starts with me," Young said. "I have to do a better job of executing. All of us as players have to do a better job at executing."
Experienced veteran Andy Dalton is the team's backup quarterback and would be a valid starting option if the Panthers let Young sit. Dalton threw for over 350 yards and scored two touchdowns during one start for the Panthers in 2023.
The Panthers say they are committed to Young but if more losses continue to pile up we could see a midseason switch at the signal caller position. Carolina plays the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 3.