Wes Schweitzer Bio
Weston Robert Schweitzer, known professionally as Wes Schweitzer, is an American former professional football offensive guard who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and playing at roughly 300 pounds, he spent his career lining up at guard and, when needed, center for four organizations. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft, Schweitzer built a reputation as a versatile and durable interior lineman before officially retiring in 2025.
Over the course of his career, Schweitzer suited up for the Atlanta Falcons, the Washington Football Team and Commanders, the New York Jets, and the New England Patriots. He appeared in more than 100 regular season games and earned recognition for his work ethic, football intelligence, and willingness to play multiple positions along the offensive line.
Wes Schweitzer Career
Early Life and Background
Weston Robert Schweitzer was born on September 11, 1993, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He grew up in the Phoenix metropolitan area and graduated from Chaparral High School in 2011, where he developed into a promising young athlete. In addition to playing football, Schweitzer was also a competitive wrestler, an experience that helped him build the strength and balance that would later define his play in the trenches.
During his high school years, Schweitzer joined the starting lineup as a sophomore and helped his team win more than three consecutive state championships. Although he originally planned to enlist in the United States Marine Corps after graduation, a wave of college athletic scholarship offers changed the course of his future. Those offers led him to a football career that would eventually take him to the highest level of the sport.
Path to American Football
Schweitzer committed to San Jose State University in 2011, choosing the Spartans over scholarship offers from Air Force, Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, and Utah State. Rated as a two-star recruit, he redshirted his true freshman year in 2011 and saw limited action in 2012, playing in seven games while adjusting to the speed and physicality of college football.
In 2013, under new head coach Ron Caragher, Schweitzer broke into the starting lineup at left tackle and started all 12 games. That season the San Jose State offense set a school record by averaging 493.2 yards per game, while the offensive line surrendered only one sack for every 23.6 pass attempts. He continued to start every game over the 2014 and 2015 seasons, including the Spartans’ victory in the 2015 Cure Bowl, establishing himself as one of the most reliable linemen in the Mountain West Conference.
Early Career (2016–2019)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Schweitzer in the sixth round, 195th overall, of the 2016 NFL draft, and he signed a four-year rookie contract on May 5, 2016. After spending most of his rookie year developing behind veteran linemen, Schweitzer was named Atlanta’s starting right guard entering the 2017 season and started all 16 games. That breakout year signaled his arrival as a long-term contributor on the offensive line.
In 2018, Schweitzer was briefly demoted to a swing guard and backup center role after losing the starting right guard job to Brandon Fusco, but he returned to the lineup at left guard in Week 3 following a season-ending injury to Andy Levitre. He started 13 games at left guard and continued to be a steady presence for the Falcons through the 2019 season, completing his four-year stint in Atlanta.
Washington Football Team / Commanders Era (2020–2022)
On March 24, 2020, Schweitzer signed with the Washington Football Team, which had recently rebranded from its former name. He stepped in as the starting right guard from Week 3 through Week 5 after Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff suffered an injury, and he later took over as the starting left guard beginning in Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys. He played all 16 regular season games that year, starting 13, and quickly became a fixture on the Washington offensive line.
During the 2021 season, Schweitzer once again filled in for an injured Scherff at right guard from Week 5 through Week 8, then shifted to center in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers after Tyler Larsen exited with an injury. The following week he started at center against the Seattle Seahawks but suffered an ankle injury that sent him to injured reserve. He returned late in the 2022 season after a stint on injured reserve, finishing his Washington tenure as a respected veteran presence in the locker room.
New York Jets Era (2023–2024)
Schweitzer signed a two-year contract with the New York Jets on March 16, 2023, joining a retooled offensive line in New York. His season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on October 31, 2023, though he was activated on December 2 before being placed back on injured reserve a week later. Despite the injury setbacks, his veteran experience was a valuable asset for the Jets’ offensive line room.
In 2024, Schweitzer suffered a hand injury in practice before the season opener and was placed on injured reserve on September 7, 2024. He was activated on December 7 and finished out the year with the Jets, providing depth and leadership along the interior line. After the season, his time in New York came to a close as he entered free agency once more.
New England Patriots Era (2025)
On March 17, 2025, Schweitzer signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots, bringing his veteran presence to a young New England offensive line. Shortly after joining the organization, however, he made the decision to step away from the game, officially retiring from professional football on June 10, 2025. His signing and subsequent retirement closed a nine-year NFL journey that began as a sixth-round pick in 2016.
Driving Style and Strengths
Schweitzer built his reputation on positional versatility, playing right guard, left guard, and center during his NFL career. Coaches valued his preparation, communication at the line of scrimmage, and ability to step into multiple roles without a drop-off in performance. His wrestling background contributed to excellent hand placement and leverage, two of the most important traits for an interior offensive lineman.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Schweitzer’s career came in 2017, when he won the Atlanta Falcons’ starting right guard job and started all 16 games in his first full season as a pro. He was also part of the San Jose State offense that set a school record of 493.2 yards per game in 2013, and he played in the 2015 Cure Bowl victory. His willingness to play through injuries and fill in at center late in his career underscored his value as a reliable team-first player.
Wes Schweitzer Career Highlights
Across his nine NFL seasons, Schweitzer appeared in more than 100 regular season games and started the majority of them, lining up at guard and center for four different franchises. He earned recognition as a Second-team All-Mountain West selection in 2015 and was a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree at San Jose State. His longevity and adaptability stood out as defining traits of his professional career.
Professional Highlights
Schweitzer’s most productive professional stretch came during his time in Atlanta and Washington, where he started more than 70 combined regular season games. In Atlanta, he started all 16 games at right guard in 2017 and 13 games at left guard in 2018. In Washington, he started 13 games in 2020 and was a reliable fill-in starter through the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Schweitzer started 25 consecutive games from 2014 to 2015, helped San Jose State win the 2015 Cure Bowl, and was elected team captain as a senior. He graduated in 2016 with a degree in chemistry and was named to the 2016 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, a reflection of his success in the classroom as well as on the field.
Wes Schweitzer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Schweitzer grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where his family supported his early athletic development. While details of his parents and siblings are not widely documented, his upbringing in Arizona helped him access strong high school football and wrestling programs that laid the foundation for his future career.
Personal Life
Off the field, Schweitzer developed a passion for rock climbing, an interest he first picked up as a way to strengthen and condition his arms during his early years with the Atlanta Falcons. The hobby complemented his wrestling background and gave him a unique cross-training tool throughout his NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
Schweitzer signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots on March 17, 2025, joining the team as a veteran interior offensive lineman. His signing was viewed as a depth and leadership addition for a young New England offensive line entering a transitional phase. He was expected to compete for a starting role at guard or center during the spring.
However, on June 10, 2025, Schweitzer announced his retirement from professional football, bringing his nine-year NFL career to a close. The decision came less than three months after joining the Patriots, marking the end of a career that spanned four organizations and more than 100 regular season games. His retirement highlighted a journey from sixth-round draft pick to respected veteran presence across the league.