Swanson was originally signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997 as an undrafted free agent.[4] But he did not play any games. In 1999 he was picked in the Cleveland Browns Expansion Draft.[5] He also signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 1999 and did not play any games.[6] Swanson played with the Rhein Fire and St Louis Rams in 2000, he played three games with the Rams.[7] In his NFL career he played three games.