FOXBORO — Rookie outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson was the Patriots’ biggest surprise cut this summer, but he earned his way onto the 53-man roster the hard way this week.
Swinson spent the first 11 weeks of the season on the Patriots’ practice squad before earning a promotion Saturday when the Patriots signed him to the active roster.
One of the reasons why Swinson earned the call-up was that other teams had tried to poach him from the practice squad onto their 53-man rosters.
“There’s some of that,” head coach Mike Vrabel said. “It’s also about opportunity, when we feel like they’re ready for it and when they’ve earned it. And, in that case, I think Bradyn has. So, we’ll have to evaluate what he can do, how he can help us and get him ready to go.
“He’s worked hard. He’s improved. I think he’s worked hard in the weight room, changing his body, getting stronger, learning special teams and doing a good job there. Give us a great look, and those coaches have done a great job of improving a lot of those guys and hopefully getting them ready here for when they have to play.”
Swinson was viewed as a steal when the Patriots selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, since he was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football last season at LSU. The rookie, who began his college career at Oregon, never flashed during training camp or the preseason, and the Patriots elected to keep undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder over him during roster cuts.
The Patriots have since traded Keion White and picked up Caleb Murphy. It will be interesting to see if Swinson has earned a spot on the Patriots’ 48-man gameday roster when they play the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Learn more about Swinson on and off the field in our New Patriots Q&A:
What’s your first football memory?
BS: My first time playing football. I was on the offensive line in my first game, and my dad told me, ‘See ball, get ball. Whoever has the ball, tackle the ball.’ I was at left guard. When they snapped the ball, I turned around and crushed the running back, and he fumbled. After that, they put me on defense going forward.
What’s your leading high school football memory?
BS: I went to Chapel High School in Douglasville, Georgia. My best high school memory was signing day. No one from my high school had gone straight to college — usually it was JUCO — but I was the first. I committed to Oregon. All my childhood friends came down and helped me celebrate.
What was your leading college football memory?
BS: Beating Ole Miss in overtime. It was a night game in Baton Rouge, my first real big night game there. I had two sacks and probably the biggest game of my career. The whole vibe of that day was completely different.
What made LSU special?
BS: The environment. Everyone was welcoming and friendly. It’s a football town. Coming from Oregon to LSU was a major difference—how much of a college town it is and what game day is like.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a football player?
BS: A veterinarian or a streamer.
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
BS: Michael Vick.
Do you have a favorite movie?
BS: Creed and Star Wars, the original trilogy leading into the new ones. I love the whole thing.
Who is your favorite musical creator?
BS: J. Cole.
Who have you been closest with on the team so far?
BS: Kobee Minor, Mr. Irrelevant.
Who’s the funniest player on the team?
BS: Either (Christian) Barmore or Webby (Jeremiah Webb). Webby is hilarious.
What have you liked most about the New England region so far?
BS: I don’t like the cold, but I like how quiet and peaceful it is. It’s never too loud unless you’re in the city with the honking. Everything else is nice.
Is there a player across the league you think is underrated or underappreciated?
BS: KC (K’Lavon Chaisson). People feel like he didn’t reach expectations as a first-rounder at LSU, but this year, he’s on a hot streak. He’s always been underrated. I love watching him and learning from him.
Do you have a hidden talent?
BS: I played every instrument in percussion — xylophone, bass drum — and I can read beat. I played trumpet too.
What topic do you know more about than anyone else in the locker room?
BS: beat. I have the best beat variety in here. And percussion — I probably know more about that than anyone.
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