The Patriots’ top pass rusher from last season is moving on.
K’Lavon Chaisson is inking a 1-year, $12 million deal with the Commanders, according to the NFL Network. He had 7.5 sacks last season in a breakout year, following five seasons where he was widely considered a first-round draft bust and spent time in Jacksonville, Carolina and Las Vegas. Chaisson also led the team in total pressures.
The Pats signed the 26-year-old to a $5 million flier contract last spring, and Chaisson quickly proved to be one of their best free-agent additions. He won a starting job out of training camp and led the team in sacks and QB hits. Chaisson’s run defense remains a weakness of his game, part of the reason the Patriots may not have retained him despite having enouigh cap space.
The Patriots did have interest in re-signing Chaisson, but opted early in free agency to sign veteran edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones, a more well-rounded, yet older and less explosive player. Jones remains the only notable edge defender the Pats have added this offseason. Their other players at the position are Harold Lanrdy, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson and Jesse Luketa.
The upcoming draft is considered to have a deep edge defender class. The Patriots’ first pick is at No. 31 overall.