Even with a new coach, a promising young quarterback and a fat wad of cap space to spend, the Patriots went into last offseason facing some significant headwinds in terms of adding players. While the big-name moves–Stefon Diggs, currently injured Milton Williams–have worked out nicely, the lesser additions have done well, too. And pass-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson is among those.
Chaisson has had ups and downs over the year, and he has not had a sack for three weeks, but he has posted the best numbers of his career–which is a happy turnaround because he appeared to be on his way to landing in the bust bin after four underwhelming years in Jacksonville.
Chaisson has 6.5 sacks in 12 games, a career high. He also has 15 quarterback hits and eight tackles for a loss, also career highs. He had begun to show growth last season while playing for the Raiders, and considering he was once considered a first-round talent (the Jaguars took him 20th overall in 2020), his issue has long been one of motivation more than ability.
Patriots Have Used K’Lavon Chaisson in Special Teams
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said that was what has been impressive about Chaisson this year in New England. He has, for example, been a very willing member of the special-teams group, and has played 29% of that unit’s snaps.
“[Chaisson] showed up in the offseason ready to learn, and work, and earn a role,” Vrabel told reporters earlier this year. “He’s done that, and I would say that he’s an important member of the punt team, something that he’s taken very seriously since he got here. Trying to do those things and help us on the punt team. He’s taking advantage of his opportunities.”
GettyHead coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots praised K’Lavon Chaisson this season.
Patriots Could Give Similar Contract the That of Harold Landry
The big-picture question with Chaisson is where does he go from here, and does it involve staying with the Patriots? The team signed him to an incentive-laden deal worth $3.5 million last winter, but it was only a one-year contract and he is eligible for a much bigger deal going forward.
The Patriots gave Harold Landry a three-year, $44 million contract this offseason, and while Landry had a beefier resume than Chaisson does–Landry had been a Pro Bowler with a 12.0-sack season to his credit–Chaisson is three years younger and still has more upside. It’s reasonable to expect that Chaisson will get something in Landry’s range.
And ESPN insider and analyst Bill Barnwell is warning the Patriots that, to keep Chaisson around, they will have to shell out–and there will be plenty of teams seeking to poach him from the roster.
Teams Will Chase K’Lavon Chaisson in Free Agency
Of course, before that can happen, Chaisson needs a strong finish to the year. The Patriots’ bye week is the last in the NFL, and he, like a lot of his teammates, has appeared to be fatigued in recent weeks, so the hope for him has to be that he is rejuvenated coming out of the break.
Barnwell listed him as having among the most at stake in these closing weeks.
He wrote that for K’Lavon Chaison, “a raise should be coming this offseason. Will that be in New England? And will it involve a multiyear guarantee? Chaisson is still only 26 and didn’t play much for stretches of time in Jacksonville, so there’s less wear and tear on his body than other players entering the seventh season of their pro careers.
“This is his best chance at landing a significant contract, and if Chaisson continues to play this way through the end of the season, he won’t lack options in free agency.”
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