From fruit roll-ups to plantains: Bradyn Swinson's diet transformation

FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Fruit Roll-Ups and Gushers have officially landed on Bradyn Swinson's "do not eat" list.

When speaking with reporters following Monday's walkthrough practice, Swinson revealed that the biggest change he made this offseason was his diet, aiming to make sure he's at his best health as he looks to carve out a role for himself during the 2026 season.

“I lost a ton of weight,” Swinson told reporters on Monday. “Really, just understanding the business side of everything … just losing weight, staying on my diet, and just focusing on the stuff I need to do better.”

He even tried a new food.

“Yeah, I started eating plantains. I never thought I’d eat plantains,” the linebacker added. “I started eating more vegetables, laying off the fast food and stuff like that. You have to sacrifice if you want to be great in this league.”

And the second-year defender has certainly noticed a difference.

“I’m stronger, and I like looking in the mirror now,” Swinson said. “It’s good to look in the mirror when you got a couple of abs right there.

"Everything is going well. Just the 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.”

The Patriots selected Swinson in the fifth round, and he was one of the most promising edge defenders in the 2025 NFL Draft. But he had a true wake-up moment when he was cut at the end of training camp and was placed on the practice squad. Swinson was elevated to the active roster in November.

“It was a real eye-opener,” Swinson reflected. “But honestly, I needed to understand the business side. I came in not really focused, not really taking it serious. And really, that whole time when I was just on the practice squad for 13 weeks straight, it just helped me to just learn the game of football all over again.”

Swinson is receiving even more opportunities this summer with Harold Landry beginning on PUP while Gabe Jacas is on NFI due to his delayed signing. And he's ready to take advantage of each and every one.

“It’s just being ready for when an opportunity arises, you know?” Swinson said. “Just always being prepared. It 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.

“We’ve got a great group of guys. You know, a lot of guys that are hungry, and you know, I’m hungry, as well."

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: From fruit roll-ups to plantains: Bradyn Swinson's diet transformation

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