Former Jets OL stuns Patriots with sudden minicamp retirement

Remember Wes Schweitzer? The veteran offensive lineman who spent the last two years as a backup for the New York Jets? He just retired before ever playing a snap for his new team, the New England Patriots.

Schweitzer abruptly ended his NFL career on Tuesday, with New England placing him on the reserve/retired list during mandatory minicamp. The 31-year-old had signed a one-year deal with the Patriots this offseason and was expected to compete for the team's starting left guard job.

Instead, he walks away from football after two injury-riddled years in New York, where he appeared in just 10 total games. The Jets originally signed Schweitzer to a two-year, $5 million contract in 2023 to be their top interior backup, but numerous injuries derailed his stint in green and white.

His retirement may not make headlines, but the timing is certainly notable, especially coming just months after signing with the Jets’ biggest rivals.

Ex-Jets OL Wes Schweitzer retires just months after joining Patriots

Schweitzer’s decision didn’t come completely out of nowhere. He had been absent from Patriots OTAs in recent weeks, which prompted some speculation about his status. While no official reason has been given, it’s likely injuries played a role in his retirement.

Schweitzer dealt with a series of injuries throughout his career, including multiple IR stints with the Jets due to calf and hand issues. He missed most of the 2024 season and played just 10 games total during his two-year stint in New York.

Fortunately for the Jets, they had already moved on. The team signed former Green Bay Packers center Josh Myers this offseason to a one-year, $3 million deal, essentially filling the role Schweitzer was originally brought in to play.

Myers brings significantly more durability and ample starting experience, having started all 56 games he played over the last four seasons in Green Bay. He's started all but one game over the last three years.

In fact, Myers is even reportedly pushing Joe Tippmann for the starting center job, though most expect the 2023 second-round pick to retain that role entering Week 1.

Regardless, Myers provides a major upgrade as the Jets’ top interior backup and should give the team much more stability than the injury-prone Schweitzer ever could.

The Wes Schweitzer era in New England is officially over before it ever even begun.

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