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The New York Jets made a rare splash during the NFL combine.
The Jets traded former first-round pick Jermaine Johnson. The pass rusher was dealt to the Tennessee Titans.
While a lot of the headlines were about Johnson, New York did get a return for him. Tennessee traded defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat to the Jets. As the newest member of the team, you'll want to get to know the 24-year-old now.
With that, here are eight things to know about Sweat:
Draft day
Sweat was taken 38th overall in the second round by the Titans during the 2024 NFL draft. Sweat attended the University of Texas.
Worth a mention on its own since plenty of focus is on Johnson being a former first rounder.
First NFL home game
Sweat has a bit of a memorable occasion against the Jets. While with the Titans, his second career game was against New York...but in Tennessee for the first time. Sweat's first taste of playing in front of his home fans as a rookie came against the Jets in Week 2 in 2024.
Worth noting: The Jets won, 24-17. Sweat played in 68 percent of the snaps in that outing but did not record a tackle.
The fits
Why was Sweat expendable for the Titans? The same reason Johnson was for the Jets.
Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh is now the Titans head coach. He runs a 4-3 front on defense. Current bench boss in New York, Aaron Glenn, will have a 3-4 scheme rolling in 2026.
Both players fit their new team much better.
Run defense help
In addition for the Jets, Sweat could help address the Jets' issues run defending from last season.
Pro Football Focus graded him a 75.0 overall against the ground attack as a rookie, the eighth-best in the NFL among the 99 qualifying defensive tackles. Sweat is also only credited with missing four tackles in his career.
Jeffery Simmons (#98) battling to hold the point and T'Vondre Sweat (#93) shedding his block pic.twitter.com/S5AqpFJadO
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 11, 2024
A low point
On a sour note, Sweat did have some pre-draft controversy in 2024. He was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Texas in early April of that year. It was just days ahead of the NFL draft. According to ESPN, Sweat was involved in a two-car crash during the incident.
Praise from Baldy
NFL Network's Brian Baldinger, who routinely posts NFL analysis on social media, had a huge prediction for Sweat in New York in a breakdown of the trade. Along with the scheme fit, Baldinger thinks Jets fans will love what he brings in terms of his energy.
Baldy's breakdown:
.@nyjets@TvondreSweat good trade for the Jets...It's been forever since they had a Big Big Man in the middle...Lbers are going to eat and offensive lineman are going to look bad...T'pain has me excited ! #BaldysBreakdownspic.twitter.com/4HdlKULaJh
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) March 1, 2026
Already excited for the Big Apple
Upon being traded to the Jets, Sweat took the classy route and thanked the Titans. But Sweat was also quick to say he is excited for his next chapter in New York:
Much love to the Tennessee Titans for the journey, the grind, and the unforgettable moments. Forever grateful for the love, the lessons, and the fans who rode every high and low with me.
— Tvondre sweat (@TvondreSweat) February 26, 2026
To the New York fans I feel that energy already. Thank you for the welcome, the passion, and…
Nickname
Sweat has a fun nickname for a defensive lineman: "Meatloaf."
However, it has nothing to really do with on the field. Instead, it was given to him by his Godmother when Sweat was a kid playing basketball back in the day.
Sweat explained his nickname in the clip below:
We are beyond “this was a good draft pick.”
— Stoney Keeley (@StoneyKeeley) September 11, 2024
We are at “this man should be the face of the league.” https://t.co/4q1JoTXSm2
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 8 things to know about new Jets DT T'Vondre Sweat