Wes Schweitzer Bio
Weston Robert Schweitzer is an American former professional football offensive guard who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Jose State Spartans and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round (195th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. Schweitzer also spent time with the Washington Football Team, New York Jets, and New England Patriots, retiring on June 10, 2025.
Standing 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and listed at 300 lb (136 kg), Schweitzer wore jersey number 71 and was known for his positional flexibility along the interior offensive line. Over his NFL career, he appeared in 90 regular-season games and made 62 starts.
Early Life and Background
Weston Robert Schweitzer was born on September 11, 1993, in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he grew up and attended Chaparral High School, graduating in 2011. He joined the starting lineup as a sophomore and helped Chaparral win more than three consecutive state championships during his time with the program. In addition to playing football, Schweitzer was also a wrestler in high school, an experience that helped shape his physical style of play.
Originally, Schweitzer planned on joining the United States Marines after high school, but athletic scholarship offers changed the course of his life. His success on the gridiron and the mat drew attention from several college programs and ultimately set him on a path toward NCAA Division I football. Coming out of Chaparral as a two-star recruit, he chose San Jose State over offers from Air Force, Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, and Utah State.
Path to American Football
Schweitzer’s transition into college football began when he committed to San Jose State in 2011, joining a program that would give him a chance to develop into a frontline offensive lineman. He redshirted his true freshman year and saw limited action in 2012, playing in seven games while learning the team’s system. That patience paid off quickly, as he became a full-time starter the following season.
Under new head coach Ron Caragher in 2013, Schweitzer started all 12 games at left tackle and helped the San Jose State offense set a school record of 493.2 yards per game. He went on to start all 25 games across the 2014 and 2015 seasons, including San Jose State’s victory in the 2015 Cure Bowl. As a senior in 2015, he was elected team captain and earned second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors, capping a college career that prepared him for the NFL stage.
Wes Schweitzer Career
Early Career (2016)
Schweitzer’s professional career began when the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on May 5, 2016, and spent his rookie season developing behind Atlanta’s veteran offensive line. While he did not lock down a starting role immediately, the experience gave him a foundation in the team’s scheme.
By his second season, Schweitzer had made a clear jump in his development. He was named the Falcons’ starting right guard to begin the 2017 campaign and went on to start all 16 regular-season games, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the interior of the line. The strong platform year positioned him for expanded responsibilities in the seasons that followed.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Schweitzer’s first full season as a starter came in 2017 at right guard, where he started every game and gave Atlanta steady play in the trenches. The following year, 2018, brought a change in role. He was initially demoted to swing guard and backup center to start the season after losing the right guard spot to Brandon Fusco. After Andy Levitre suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, however, Schweitzer stepped in at left guard and started 13 games there, showcasing his positional versatility.
During his four-year tenure with the Falcons (2016–2019), Schweitzer developed into a dependable interior lineman capable of playing both guard spots and center. The Atlanta years gave him the experience needed to enter free agency as a proven veteran when his rookie contract expired.
Washington Football Team / Commanders Era (2020–2022)
On March 24, 2020, Schweitzer signed with the Washington Football Team, which had rebranded from its previous Redskins identity earlier that offseason. He quickly found a role, filling in as the starting right guard from Week 3 through Week 5 after Brandon Scherff went down with an injury against the Arizona Cardinals. Beginning in Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys, he took over the starting left guard job, and he finished the season having played all 16 regular-season games with 13 starts split between right and left guard.
Schweitzer continued to be a valuable utility option in 2021, starting at right guard for an injured Scherff from Week 5 through Week 8. In the Week 11 win over the Carolina Panthers, he shifted to center after Tyler Larsen left the game with an injury, and he started at center the following week against the Seattle Seahawks before an ankle injury sent him to injured reserve. He was placed on injured reserve on October 1, 2022, before being activated on December 3 of that year, finishing his Washington tenure having shown the kind of multi-position reliability teams value in interior linemen.
New York Jets Era (2023–2024)
On March 16, 2023, Schweitzer signed a two-year contract with the New York Jets, continuing his career as a depth piece and injury replacement. He was placed on injured reserve on October 31, 2023, before being activated on December 2, and then returned to injured reserve a week later. His two seasons in New York were marked by recurring injury issues that limited his availability, though his experience kept him in demand as a roster reserve.
In 2024, Schweitzer suffered a hand injury in practice before Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve on September 7. He was activated on December 7, finishing out the year before heading back to free agency.
New England Patriots Era (2025)
On March 17, 2025, Schweitzer signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots, adding veteran depth to the team’s interior offensive line. His time in New England was brief, as he officially announced his retirement from professional football on June 10, 2025, closing out a nine-year NFL career that spanned four teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Schweitzer’s 2015 Cure Bowl appearance with San Jose State stands as one of the highlights of his college career, while his 2017 season with Atlanta, in which he started all 16 games at right guard, marked his first full year as an NFL starter. He appeared in 90 regular-season games and made 62 starts across his nine NFL seasons, reflecting both his durability and his role as a trusted interior reserve and starter.
Wes Schweitzer Career Wins
While offensive linemen are not credited with individual wins in the same way quarterbacks or skill players are, Schweitzer’s career featured steady contributions to winning efforts. He started all 16 games during Atlanta’s 2017 campaign, helped Washington reach the postseason in 2020 as a versatile interior piece, and was part of San Jose State’s victory in the 2015 Cure Bowl during his senior season.
Other Wins and Performances
Schweitzer earned second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2015, was a four-time academic all-conference honoree, and was named to the 2016 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. In high school, he helped Chaparral capture more than three consecutive state championships as a multi-year starter along the offensive line and as a wrestler.
Wes Schweitzer Family
Personal Life
Schweitzer is a fan of rock climbing, a hobby he first picked up as a way to condition his arms during his time with the Atlanta Falcons. A chemistry major, he graduated from San Jose State in 2016 and also worked as an atmospheric chemistry research intern at the San Jose State University College of Science in 2013 and 2014.
2025 Season Performance
Schweitzer signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots on March 17, 2025, joining the team as veteran interior offensive line depth. His time in New England was brief, however, as he officially announced his retirement from professional football on June 10, 2025, ending a nine-year NFL career that began with the 2016 draft class.
Across his career, Schweitzer appeared in 90 regular-season games and made 62 starts while playing for the Atlanta Falcons, Washington Football Team, New York Jets, and New England Patriots. He earned second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors during his senior season at San Jose State and was widely respected for his ability to play every interior offensive line position.