Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson showed he can get to the quarterback in a preseason win over the Vikings.
Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson showed he can get to the quarterback in a preseason win over the Vikings.Abbie Parr/Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots had the NFL’s worst pass rush in 2024. They finished the year with a league-low 28 sacks, a woeful number that’s even more striking when you consider they had nine in one game.
Into that landscape strides K’Lavon Chaisson, a former first-round pick out of LSU looking for a fresh start. The 6-foot-3-inch, 255-pound edge rusher, who has spent five seasons in the league (four with the Jaguars and one with the Raiders), had five sacks last year with Las Vegas after starting the season on the practice squad.
After signing a one-year, $3 million contract with New England, he’s spent training camp steadily ascending the depth chart and frequently running with the starting defense.
Tagged as a guy who has yet to reach his potential, Chaisson has welcomed the chance to learn from a head coach who played the same position he did in the NFL.
“It’s been fantastic. Super special,” Chaisson said of the connection he’s developed with Mike Vrabel. “I’ve been thankful to have someone like that so close to me. And he’s done everything that he can to give the knowledge to the room.
“This is the first time I have a coach that’s been super hands on, for sure. And it means a lot. Obviously, [Vrabel has] played the position at a very high level. His name is hanging up here, in the cafeteria, on the walls. He’s been a part of some high contending teams. So, once again, everything that he’s willing to spread to me in the room is super beneficial. And I appreciate it.”
The 26-year-old clearly could use a career reset. It’s worth noting that Vrabel faced a similar situation: He was an underutilized part of Pittsburgh’s defense over the first four years of his playing career before he signed with the Patriots as a free agent (also at the age of 26) prior to the 2001 season. He eventually became a key part of the Super Bowl champions, and a franchise Hall of Famer.
Chaisson likely won’t follow the same career path, but Vrabel can appreciate the chance to work with a player who couldn’t find a niche the first few seasons of his career, but continued to work in hopes of carving out a role somewhere.
“It takes some players a little longer than it takes others, and I would say that I’m hopeful that his best football is in front of him,” Vrabel said earlier this summer. “I’m very excited about how he came in personality-wise and what he’s shown on the field thus far.”
What Chaisson has shown is a willingness to get after the quarterback. Thrown into a mix that includes Harold Landry and Keion White, Chaisson recently drew high praise from outside linebackers coach Mike Smith, who compared him to Za’Darius Smith, who grew from a situational pass rusher with the Ravens into a full-time presence with 26 sacks and a pair of Pro Bowl berths with the Packers.
“The thing about KC is he’s smart. He’s a vet. He’s seen it. Loves the game of football. The way he works, the way he prepares,” Smith said.
“He’s one of these guys that you talk about stuff, and he gets it pretty quick. A lot of these guys you get in free agency on one-year deals, and they’ve got something to prove. I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder, and he’s got something to prove — getting a home and being somewhere is a big thing for him. He’s playing well.”
Chaisson just turned 26, but his experiences give him an outlook not many players his age possess. He’s seen the game from several perspectives, which makes him grateful for the opportunity with New England.
“I’ve been a part of being able to physically not being able to be out there with injuries,” Chaisson said. “I’ve been a part of someone telling me that I’m not able to help the team get better. Being cut. So, anytime I get a chance to be out here and just be productive as possible, I try to take advantage of it.
“Every chance I get, man, I’m super grateful just to be on the field and play this game.”
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.