Barwin was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. At his pro day, he recorded an impressive time of 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash. As a rookie, he played in all 16 games.

His 2010 season was cut short due to an ankle injury suffered in the opening game. He returned in 2011, transitioning to outside linebacker. That year, he started every game and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors in November. In 2012, Barwin once again played all 16 games, finishing with 45 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five pass deflections, and his first career safety.

On March 14, 2013, Barwin signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, which included $8 million in guaranteed money. His leadership and performance earned widespread recognition—NJ.com referred to him as the Eagles’ “MVP of the defense and a leader in the locker room” in a 2014 article previewing the NFL Draft.

Connor Barwin wore jersey number 98 while playing for the Eagles. By the end of the 2015 NFL season, his career statistics included 286 total tackles, 45.5 sacks, one interception, 38 pass deflections, five forced fumbles, and one safety. He was also named a Second-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press, underscoring his impact as a dynamic defensive player.