Florham Park, N.J. — Following the New York Jets’ first preseason game on Friday, the team returns to the practice field on Monday as training camp continues.
There will be a new face in the fold, though, who has been out since the beginning of camp due to a hamstring injury: newly acquired defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
This week, all eyes should be set on the defensive tackle for several reasons.
Why fans should be focused on Sweat as he returns
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 366 pounds, Sweat is expected to play a huge role in the Jets’ defense this year as the team’s starting nose tackle after being acquired in exchange for Jermaine Johnson.
As he prepares for his third season in the league, he has consistently ranked among the top run-stuffing defensive tackles.
In 2025, he tallied an 83.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, the fifth-best among 134 qualified defensive tackles. His 79.3 run defense grade at PFF ranked fourth.
While he is at a disadvantage due to his size and subpar athleticism, Sweat also isn’t a complete non-factor as a pass rusher.
Among 97 qualified defensive tackles last year (minimum 200 pass-rush snaps), he ranked 16th in PFF’s pass rush grade (74.1), 36th in pressure rate (9%), and 40th in pass-rush win rate (9.4%).
The main concern with his game, though, lies in athleticism and conditioning. Since the pre-draft process in 2024, there have been legitimate questions surrounding his work ethic and conditioning.
Reports indicate that his weight climbed to nearly 400 pounds during his time with the Titans, raising questions regarding how seriously he manages his size.
As Jets fans know firsthand (cough, cough, Mekhi Becton), when players of Sweat’s stature don’t control their weight, things can get out of control, making them unplayable at points, while injuries take much longer to recover from.
Missing the start of training camp was a tough blow for Sweat, as this time of year is critical for conditioning and reacclimation ahead of Week 1, when he faces his former team.
Sweat’s talent is undeniable, and he certainly has what it takes to play a crucial role in the Jets’ defensive line rotation. But being in football shape comes first.
How quickly he gets there will be worth watching as he returns to the practice field and the final few weeks of the summer approach.
