K'Lavon Chaisson aims to be Commanders' missing defensive piece

The former Patriots pass rusher signed a one-year deal with Washington hoping to build on his breakout 2025 season.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:53pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a football player in the midst of a pass rush, with sharp geometric planes in burgundy, gold, and navy blue representing the Commanders' team colors.The Commanders' new pass-rushing duo of K'Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh aims to disrupt offenses with their relentless energy and complementary skills.Washington Today

After bouncing around the NFL for his first five seasons, K'Lavon Chaisson found his footing with the New England Patriots in 2025, recording 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in the regular season before adding three more sacks in the playoffs. Now the former first-round pick is looking to bring that same level of production to the Washington Commanders on a one-year, $12 million contract.

Why it matters

The Commanders are hoping Chaisson can provide a much-needed boost to their pass rush, which has struggled in recent years. Pairing him with fellow free agent addition Odafe Oweh gives Washington two young, ascending edge rushers to build around on defense.

The details

Chaisson, a 20th overall pick out of LSU in 2020, managed just five sacks in four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before finding more success with the Las Vegas Raiders, primarily on their practice squad. But his breakout 2025 campaign with the Patriots showed he can be a difference-maker when given the opportunity.

  • Chaisson signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Commanders in March 2026.
  • In 2025, Chaisson recorded 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in the regular season with the Patriots, then added 3 more sacks in the playoffs.

The players

K'Lavon Chaisson

A 26-year-old pass rusher who was a first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. After struggling in his first four NFL seasons, he had a breakout year with the New England Patriots in 2025.

Odafe Oweh

A 24-year-old edge rusher who the Commanders signed to a 4-year, $100 million contract this offseason, pairing him with Chaisson to form a formidable pass-rushing duo.

Adam Peters

The Commanders' general manager, who said he did not even consider acquiring both Chaisson and Oweh until they became available in free agency.

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What they’re saying

“I want to continue to be that guy, to be that missing piece that can send us in the right trajectory. I think it's everything and more for my career and for this team for sure.”

— K'Lavon Chaisson, Commanders Defensive End

“You've got to decide to block me all four quarters, and that's my favorite part about it. 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.”

— K'Lavon Chaisson, Commanders Defensive End

What’s next

Chaisson will look to carry over his strong 2025 season with the Patriots into his first year with the Commanders, as Washington hopes he can provide a consistent pass-rushing presence to complement Odafe Oweh.

The takeaway

After years of struggling to find his footing in the NFL, K'Lavon Chaisson finally broke out in 2025 with the Patriots, earning him a lucrative one-year deal with the Commanders. If he can replicate that production in Washington, he could be the missing piece to help the Commanders' defense take a big step forward.