Connor Barwin

Connor Alfred Barwin (born October 15, 1986) is an American professional football executive and former player who is the head of football development and strategy for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL as a defensive end in a 4–3 defensive scheme and outside linebacker in a 3–4 defense. Barwin played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for the Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Giants.

Early life Barwin is the youngest of four sons of Thomas Barwin and Margaret Bailey and was born in Hazel Park, Michigan. His favorite team growing up were the Detroit Lions, with his favorite player being running back Barry Sanders.

Barwin was born deaf, which was not confirmed until he was two years old. While his right ear was curable with surgery and tubes, treatment of his left ear was complicated by a benign tumor near the ossicles. As an adult, he has complete hearing in his right ear but only "10–15 percent" hearing in his left ear.

Barwin attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. As a senior, he was an All-state selection and earned All-League, All-Catholic, and All-District honors. He was also an All-League selection in basketball as a junior and All-Catholic as a senior.

College career Barwin attended and played college football at the University of Cincinnati, where he was a history major. As a freshman in 2005, Barwin played in all 11 games as a backup tight end, finishing with eight receptions for 144 yards and one touchdown. The starting tight end during Barwin's freshman and sophomore seasons was Brent Celek.

In early January, after injuries had decimated the Cincinnati basketball team, he joined the team, playing in 18 games as a backup forward and averaging 9.9 minutes per game. That season, he tallied highs of nine rebounds against South Carolina and six points against Pittsburgh.

As a sophomore in 2006, Barwin played in all 13 Bearcats football games as a regular on special teams and as a backup tight end. He totaled 13 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He also played in 22 games for the basketball team, with highs of five rebounds vs. DePaul and four points each against Providence and Villanova.

Barwin ran a 4.47-second 40-time at his Pro Day, according to the University of Cincinnati's timer.

Houston Texans

Barwin was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round, with the 46th overall pick, of the 2009 NFL draft. On October 18, 2009 Barwin recorded his first NFL sack against Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. For the season, he played in all 16 Texans games and totaled 16 tackles, 4.5 sacks and four passes defensed.

Barwin's 2010 season was cut extremely short when he left the Texans' 2010 opener against the Indianapolis Colts with an ankle injury and was announced out for the season the next day.

Barwin returned from injury and moved from defensive end to outside linebacker in 2011, starting all 16 of the Texans' games as the Texans advanced to the second round of the AFC Playoffs. On November 27, 2011 Barwin established a career-best 10 tackles and a new franchise record for sacks in a game with four in the Texans' 20–13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field; Mario Williams had previously held the Texans' single-game sack mark with 3.5. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November.

Barwin played in all 16 games for the Texans in 2012, starting in 15, as the Texans again advanced to the second round of the AFC Playoffs. For the regular season, he totaled 45 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five passes defensed, and one safety, the first of his career on October 21 when he tackled Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in the end zone.

Barwin became the fourth Cincinnati Bearcat on the Eagles' roster, joining former roommate Jason Kelce and former teammate Brent Celek as well as Trent Cole. Barwin started all 16 games for the NFC East champion Eagles. On November 3, he intercepted his first NFL pass against the Oakland Raiders' Terrelle Pryor. On November 17, he totaled a career single-game high of 12 tackles against the Washington Redskins. Barwin started off the season strong, registering six sacks by week 6, with three sacks and one forced fumble in the October 12 shutout of the New York Giants (27–0). In a week 9 Monday Night Football matchup with the Carolina Panthers, Barwin sacked quarterback Cam Newton 3.5 times, totaling 10.5 on the season.

Barwin was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November. Barwin recorded 6.5 sacks, 24 tackles, two batted passes, and a forced fumble during the month. At the time of the award, Barwin had a season high total of 12.5 sacks. After only 2 sacks in December, Barwin still led the NFC in sacks with 14.5, but he had dropped to 4th overall in the NFL.

Barwin earned Associated Press second-team All-Pro honors and was named to his first Pro Bowl.

2015 season In the 2015 season, Barwin played in all 16 games. He recorded 54 tackles, 7.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and eight passes defended.

2016 season 2016 was Barwin's last season with the Eagles. He played in all 16 games and recorded 34 tackles, 5.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes defended.

On March 9, 2017, the Eagles released Barwin, saving them $7.75 million in cap space.

Los Angeles Rams On March 16, 2017, Barwin signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams.

New York Giants

On July 23, 2018, Barwin agreed to terms with the New York Giants. The next day he signed a two-year contract worth up to $5 million.

On February 4, 2019, Barwin was released by the Giants.

Retirement On October 14, 2019, Barwin announced his retirement from playing.

Executive career Philadelphia Eagles On January 17, 2020, Barwin returned to the Eagles as a special assistant to general manager Howie Roseman. On June 3, 2022, the Eagles moved Barwin to the role of player development director. On June 9, 2024, Barwin was again promoted, shifting to the role of head of football development and strategy. He was part of the staff when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX.

Career statistics Year Team GP GS COMB TOTAL AST SACK FF FR FR YDS INT IR YDS AVG IR LNG TD PD 2009 HOU 16 0 18 12 6 3.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2010 HOU 1 0 Did not record any statistics due to injury 2011 HOU 16 16 47 34 14 11.5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 2012 HOU 16 16 44 37 9 3.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2013 PHI 16 15 59 45 14 5.0 1 1 0 1 −2 −2 −2 0 10 2014 PHI 16 16 64 47 17 14.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2015 PHI 16 16 54 44 10 7.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 2016 PHI 16 16 34 20 14 5.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2017 LAR 14 13 34 26 8 5.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 NYG 15 3 12 6 6 1.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4Career 142 112 366 270 96 56.5 6 4 0 1 −2 −2 −2 0 44

Post-playing career In 2022, Barwin served as executive producer of the Christmas album A Philly Special Christmas, recorded by his former Eagles teammates.