NFL
Bradyn Swinson has a new focus – and new diet – heading into 2nd NFL season
Second-year edge rusher Bradyn Swinson is taking a new approach into his second NFL season as he competes for a bigger role with the Patriots
Alex Barth
Updated Jul 27, 2026 5:21 PM EDT
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Edge rusher Bradyn Swinsonwas labeled as one of the potential steals of the 2025 NFL Draft, when the New England Patriots took him in the fifth round, 146th overall. Projected by many as a top 100 pick, the hope was he’d add a strong pass rushing element at a position that has been a multi-year need for the team
Swinson’s rookie year didn’t follow that path though. The LSU product, coming off of a second-team All-SEC season, failed to make the team out of training camp and landed on the practice squad. While he did end up being signed to the active roster late in the year, in the end he totaled just 27 defensive snaps over three games
Heading into 2026 that need on the edge remains in New England, and the team could once again look to Swinson to help fill that role. This time around, he plans to be more prepared for the opportunity, after lessons learned as a rookie
“It was a real eye opener, but I honestly needed it,” Swinson, 24, shared when speaking with reporters after training camp practice on Monday. “I came in not really focused, not really taking it serious. That whole time when I was on the practice squad for 13 weeks straight, it just helped me overall learn myself and also just learn the game of football all over again. I’ve been at the bottom before, and that’s never been nothing new to me. Working hard never been new for me. So that’s all I have to do.”
Swinson’s new approach was noted by coaches back in the spring. “He came back ready to go,” head coach Mike Vrabel shared. “I think he realized what professional football is after camp, where he was and what his role was, and he realized that maybe he wants a different role.”
“Our big message today in the room is consistency,” outside linebackers coach Mike Smithnoted on the final day of minicamp. “There’s so many different ways you can look at that – to our daily routine, the weight room, the diet, nutrition, all that stuff. Being all in on everything. Being consistent with that. Being consistent with our drills. To me, that’s what he’s been doing this spring. His body’s changed. He’s gotten stronger. It’s his second year, and I think that’s a big thing for him.”
When Swinson fell in the draft last spring, concerns about ‘coachability’ were reported as a potential reason why. Given that, Swinson’s new mentality is notable
Additionally, Swinson has made another change. This one, off the field
“Honestly, my diet. Y’all can see I I lost a ton of weight,” Swinson shared, saying he’s currently weighing in around 250 and 255 pounds – his preferred weight – after getting up to 270 pounds last year
Snacking less has been the main part of Swinson’s diet, he said. Gone are Fruit Roll-Ups and Gushers, which he said were some of his favorites. Fast food too. Replacing them?
“I started eating plantains. I never thought I’d eat plantains.”
“I’m stronger, and I like looking in the mirror now when I see myself. It’s good to look in the mirror when you got a couple of abs right there,” Swinson continued with a laugh. “But everything is going well. Just my overall speed of the game and just understanding the game and the overall power I have behind myself now. We don’t have pads on now, but I’m looking forward to that as well.”
This is all as Swinson tries to set himself up to win not just a roster spot, but a consistent role on the Patriots’ defense in 2026. Again, there are spots to be won. The unit was projected as thin coming out of the offseason, and that was before Harold Landry began the summer on PUP working his way back from a knee injury that limited him for most of last season, and Gabe Jacasopened up camp on NFI, coming off of his own knee procedure. Both players’ status is unclear heading into the season
With Landry and Jacas not on the field, it’s been free agent signing Dre’Mont Jonesand fellow second-year edge rusher Elijah Ponder – who himself is looking at filling a bigger role in 2025 – as the bookends on the defense. After them though it projects to be a wide open battle for remaining depth edge roles
Through three practices, Swinson has been the first one up getting those opportunities. There’s a lot of camp to go and three practices isn’t enough to win a role, but wherever and however much he’s lining up, Swinson is taking his new approach into every rep he’s taking this summer
“It’s just being ready when the opportunity arises. Just always being prepared. Doesn’t really matter who’s there, who’s not. It’s just more about what you’re going to do. So I really focus on what I need to do.”
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Alex BarthWriter
Alex Barth is a digital content producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. He now covers all things Boston Sports for 985TheSportsHub.com as well as appearing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports, as well as college football. You can follow him across all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.
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