Chandler Zavala won Carolina's starting right guard job as a rookie and has stayed in that role whenever health has allowed, despite repeated injury setbacks.
Chandler Zavala arrived from NC State as part of a Wolfpack offensive-line pipeline that also sent Ikem Ekwonu to Carolina, and he's spent his career battling for and holding down the Panthers' right guard spot. Injuries have interrupted his seasons more than once, but he keeps working his way back into the lineup.
Path to the league
Zavala starred at NC State, making 13 starts at left guard in 2022 without allowing a single sack and just four total pressures on the year. Born in Woodbridge, Virginia and a graduate of Forest Park High School, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round, 114th overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Zavala won Carolina's starting right guard job as a rookie in 2023, part of an offensive line that featured multiple former NC State teammates. He has dealt with significant injury adversity throughout his career, including a scary neck injury as a rookie, but has consistently fought his way back into the starting lineup.
2025 season recap
Zavala stepped back into the starting lineup at right guard in 2025 after Robert Hunt went down with a torn biceps in Week 2, but a knee injury sent him to injured reserve in Week 4. He returned on November 1 and started five straight games before a calf injury suffered against the 49ers in Week 12 landed him back on injured reserve.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Chandler Zavala
- ESPN: Chandler Zavala
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Guard
- Group
- offense
- College
- NC State
- Hometown
- Boynton Beach, FL, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
