Experience pays off for Panthers guard Chandler Zavala   

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers guard Chandler Zavala (62) stepped in for the injured Robert Hunt in their 30-0 win against the Atlanta Falcons Sept. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadkum.

On the Carolina Panthers’ third play from scrimmage against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling right guard Chandler Zavala cut off a defensive lineman for a 6-yard Chuba Hubbard run. 

The play itself wasn’t overly special, but it established a tone that led the offense downfield for a touchdown on their opening possession. Considering the slow starts that have hampered the rebuilding Panthers over the last several seasons, the start helped the offensive line carry the momentum throughout Sunday’s 30-0 victory.

Panthers’ new-look line denies Falcons

Zavala started for the injured Robert Hunt and aided in limiting the Falcons’ deep defensive line. He will be called upon for the foreseeable future with Hunt on injured reserve.

“He’s a guy we’re counting on,” coach Dave Canales said. “(Zavala was) really solid. It certainly felt like a normal game.” 

Normal? 

The Panthers’ defense pitched its first shutout since 2020, and Bryce Young played turnover-free as the Panthers (1-2) captured their home opener.  Reserve offensive lineman Brady Christensen was impressed with the makeshift lineup. 

“Not a lot of drop-offs,” he said. 

It proved to be a big effort for Zavala and new center Cade Mays.  

Their teammates backed them up, with Young and receiver Tetairoa McMillan calling their efforts “phenomenal.”

“They started the offense,” McMillan said. We can’t get going without them.” 

Hunt (torn biceps) and Corbett (knee) were hurt last week in loss at Arizona. Both are expected to miss several weeks but could return during the season’s second half. 

In the meantime, Zavala and Mays will be called upon to replicate Sunday’s results.

The Panthers’ offense netted only 224 yards, but with the defense creating three turnovers and not allowing the Falcons to venture past Carolina’s 30, Young took advantage of quality field possession. Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade also contributed a third-quarter pick-six that handed the Panthers a 17-0 advantage. 

Zavala maturing as NFL player

For Zavala, his consistent play against Atlanta was a stark contrast to outings over the past two seasons. The 2023 fourth-round draft pick from North Carolina State was thrust into the starting lineup in past seasons but wasn’t ready for NFL challenges. 

After Christensen suffered a season-ending torn bicep during the 2023 season opener, Zavala struggled as the Panthers limped to a 2-15 campaign. Young was sacked 62 times in 16 starts. 
In his opening 25 snaps of 2024, Zavala posted a 28.1 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus – No. 78 of 86 qualifying guards. 

During a Week 3 game at Las Vegas last season, Zavala logged 22 snaps and posted a 48.2 grade. 

Zavala likely is in line to receive a better report card this time around. 

“We had enough time in our pass protection ... the run game looked solid,” Canalales said. 

The Panthers’ five starting offensive linemen, Taylor Moton, Damien Lewis, Mays, Zavala, and Ikem Ekwonu, helped push the Panthers to a 44-38 overtime win in Week 18 last season. In that game, Young passed for 251 yards three touchdowns and rushed for two more. He wasn’t sacked. 

Young’s 4-yard touchdown scramble in the first quarter handed the Panthers their first lead of the season. The problems the offense encountered getting off plays, at times, last season and through their two games in ‘25 were virtually eliminated.   

“They definitely stepped up,” said Hubbard, who finished with 73 yards on 17 carries. 

For Zavala, who did not appear at his locker following Sunday’s win, experience appears to be paying dividends.  

“(Zavala’s) strong as an ox and experience helps a ton,” Christensen said Wednesday. “If you’re able to go into a game confidently and are able to ride through the highs and lows and get to the next play, it’s huge.” 
Said right tackle Moton: “I love playing next to (Zavala), I’m excited about the following games with him.” 

Like Sunday against the Falcons’ defensive front, which rotated as many as nine tackles and ends and generated six sacks against Minnesota during a Week 2 win. The Panthers yielded just one. 

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