8 things to know about new Jets DT T'Vondre Sweat — and more

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.

To the New York fans I feel that energy already. Thank you for the welcome, the passion, and…

— Tvondre sweat (@TvondreSweat) February 26, 2026

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.”

We are at “this man should be the face of the league.” https://t.co/4q1JoTXSm2

— Stoney Keeley (@StoneyKeeley) September 11, 2024

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 8 things to know about new Jets DT T'Vondre Sweat

Arsenal Interest Rebuffed as Corinthians Hold Firm on Matheuzinho

Arsenal’s long range scouting network has once again led them to South America. Yet, as reported by RTIESPORTE.COM, Corinthians have drawn a clear line regarding right back Matheuzinho, rejecting two offers including one from the Premier League.

The 25 year old has emerged as a central figure under Dorival Júnior. According to the report, Marcelo Paz believes “It is not the right time to negotiate the defender.”, with the club viewing him as a structural pillar rather than a tradable asset. Arsenal have monitored him since last season, but admiration alone does not shift negotiating positions.

Photo IMAGO

Contract Strength and Internal Priority

Matheuzinho’s contract runs until December 2028. That timeframe alters the dynamic significantly. Corinthians hold leverage, reinforced by a release clause of 100 million euros for international clubs and 50 million euros domestically.

RTIESPORTE.COM outline that the club purchased 60 percent of his economic rights in 2024 for 4 million euros from Flamengo. Since then, he has become a dressing room reference point, described as one of the principal leaders within the squad.

With a congested calendar and Copa Libertadores ambitions, stability has become policy. The report indicates that even proposals offering higher wages abroad have not tempted the player. Corinthians are planning a meeting to discuss salary appreciation and to reinforce the sporting project around him.

Arsenal’s Calculated Watch

For Arsenal, this is familiar territory. Monitoring does not equal immediate escalation. The club have built a reputation for patience, identifying profiles that fit technical and developmental frameworks.

Matheuzinho’s versatility and leadership appeal. Yet with Corinthians signalling that negotiations would only begin at figures approaching the international clause, the pathway is narrow.

At present, the message from São Paulo is unambiguous. Matheuzinho remains central to Dorival Júnior’s plans, and Corinthians have little appetite for compromise.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Arsenal supporters, this report reads as both frustrating and encouraging. Frustrating because the profile is compelling. A 25 year old right back with leadership credentials and Libertadores ambition suggests resilience and maturity. Encouraging because it confirms the club’s recruitment radar remains expansive and proactive.

Fans understand that Arsenal rarely rush negotiations where leverage is limited. A 100 million euro clause places Corinthians in command. Even so, the knowledge that the player has not pushed for a move adds nuance. Arsenal supporters tend to favour targets who demonstrate clarity of intent.

There is also strategic patience to consider. If Arsenal view Matheuzinho as long term depth rather than immediate transformation, timing matters. The club’s hierarchy will not be drawn into inflated bidding for symbolic victories.

Supporters will watch closely. South American recruitment has yielded success before. Whether this evolves into a concrete approach may depend less on desire and more on opportunity.

Manchester United have been told they have a natural replacement for Luke Shaw in the shape of Godwill Kukonki.

Shaw has had his fair share of injuries throughout his career, but he has been omnipresent in Man Utd’s lineup this season, starting in all 28 Premier League fixtures thus far.

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But unfortunately for the 30-year-old, he picked up a knock during the win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, forcing him to leave the pitch prematurely.

Michael Carrick replaced the London native with Noussair Mazraoui, who’s originally a right-back, but also capable of playing on the left flank.

While the severity of Shaw’s injury remains unclear at this stage, MUFC might have to do without him in the coming weeks.

Michael Carrick could promote Godwill Kukonki to fill in for Luke Shaw

As things stand, fielding Mazraoui at left-back appears to be the most obvious solution, especially since Tyrell Malacia has been almost ruled out of consideration. The Dutchman, who was desperate to leave the club in January, is simply biding his time, waiting to see out his contract and trying to revive his career elsewhere.

(Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

In addition to Shaw, Man Utd have another injured left-back in the shape of Patrick Dorgu, who won’t return to action for several weeks.

Therefore, Man Utd might have to resort to their academy to bolster their full-back options while waiting for the injured players to return to the squad.

As UnitedAnalyst argues, United’s first team could do with a left-back like Godwill Kukonki, who can dart down the flank and make important contributions at both ends of the pitch.

The same X account had already dubbed Kukonki as ‘too good’ for the U18 level on the back of a dominant display against Man City last month.

A closer look at Godwill Kukonki’s path at Man Utd

The 18-year-old is a towering centre-half who stands at 196cm. Nevertheless, Man Utd U18 head coach Darren Fletcher has been capitalising on his ever-improving technical skills by fielding him as a left-back.

Ahead of Sunday’s clash against Crystal Palace, the teenager was included in Man Utd’s matchday squad, but he didn’t make it to the bench. He was only selected on one occasion this season, and it happened to be Ruben Amorim’s last game in charge.

While the youngster was on the bench against Leeds United, he has yet to make his senior debut for United, even though Amorim had identified Kukonki as one ready for a promotion. Hence, it remains to be seen if the mini-injury crisis will finally see him make his first-team bow.

There are two potential pending free agent wide receivers the Buffalo Bills have been connected to.

With the 2026 NFL combine unfolding last week and free agency starting on March 11, ESPN NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano put together an intel piece regarding what they had heard about teams during the event.

The Bills were referenced in relation to the likes of Seattle Seahawks wideout Rashid Shaheed and Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs. Buffalo reportedly has interest.

Shaheed, 27, comes as less of a surprise as he was linked to Buffalo at the 2025 NFL trade deadline but ended up landing in Seattle and winning a Super Bowl. Now as a free agent, interest could realistically still be there. Shaheed had 59 catches for 687 and two touchdowns between the Seahawks and New Orleans Saints last year.

Doubs, 25, is a newer link. He recorded 55 receptions for 724 yards and six touchdowns in 2025.

Fowler ended up dishing intel on the Bills which can be found below:

Rival teams expect Buffalo to strongly address wide receiver in the coming weeks. And multiple league executives are linking Rashid Shaheed or Romeo Doubs to the Bills. Alec Pierce will most likely be out of their price range.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: ESPN NFL writers Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano name WR targets for Bills