The ties between the New England Patriots and Washington Huskies run deep these days.
Legendary former Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been spotted numerous times in Huskies gear now that his son, Steve, is Washington’s defensive coordinator. Steve spent his entire coaching career with the Patriots before coming to the Huskies, as did safeties coach Vinnie Sunseri outside of one year as a graduate assistant at Alabama. Head coach Jedd Fisch knows the group from his own stint in New England as the team’s quarterbacks coach.
The Patriots have plenty of Washington influence as well. Wide receivers coach Tyler Hughes spent the 2023 season on Kalen DeBoer’s staff, one reason why New England selected Ja’Lynn Polk with the No. 37 overall pick in April. Steve’s brother, Brian, is still on the New England staff as the safeties coach.
On Sunday, another connection was made, as the Patriots signed former Huskies defensive tackle Josiah Bronson. A former member of the Saints, Browns, Cowboys, and Dolphins, Bronson spent the spring with the UFL’s Memphis Showboats, where he had 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the season.
Bronson joins a defensive front missing star Christian Barmore, who was recently ruled out indefinitely following a blood clot diagnosis. New England’s options behind Barmore are rather thin, even after signing Armon Watts this offseason from Pittsburgh, and with edge rusher Matthew Judon looking for a new contract, the Patriots are desperately looking for impactful pieces along the defensive line.
Likely signed as camp depth, Bronson could have a solid chance at cracking the initial roster or practice squad if Barmore’s condition rules him out for regular season games.
Bronson played 30 games for the Huskies from 2018-20, finishing his career with 42 tackles and 3 sacks. He went undrafted following his senior season in 2020.