K'Lavon Chaisson wants to be Commanders' missing piece on defense

Nov 9, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) walks downfield during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

It took five seasons of being shuffled around on various teams’ rosters until K'Lavon Chaisson finally found his footing with the New England Patriots last season.

In 16 regular-season games, Chaisson recorded 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, while adding three more sacks over four postseason contests as the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LX.

Now he is bringing that version of himself to Washington on a one-year contract that is worth up to $12 million, and he does not hesitate when talking about his goals for his new team.

“I want to continue to be that guy, to be that missing piece that can send us in the right trajectory,” Chaisson told reporters via the Commanders' official YouTube channel. “I think it’s everything and more for my career and for this team for sure.”

Chaisson's confidence sounds different this time around

Chaisson, a 20th overall selection out of LSU who only managed five sacks over his four years in Jacksonville, made another five in one year in Las Vegas, although he was doing so primarily from the practice squad.

Players such as Chaisson either get humbled by a career such as that, or it breaks them. It appears that Chaisson has been humbled by the experience.

"You've got to decide to block me all four quarters, and that's my favorite part about it," he said. "I'm willing to take it to a fifth quarter if it has to go there. I like that part about it. I never quit."

The Commanders decided to pair Chaisson with Odafe Oweh, signing him to a contract worth $100 million over four years. This meant that the team now had a pair of pass rushers who were not even considered before a month ago.

General Manager Adam Peters said he did not even think about acquiring both players. The real question, however, is whether Chaisson can reproduce his performance for the Patriots throughout an entire season.

Nevertheless, after years of proving he deserved to be in the NFL, this seems to be exactly the challenge that would suit him well.