Former New England Patriots pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson is moving on after a career-reviving season, signing a one-year deal worth about $8 million with the Washington Commanders.

Even as he begins the next chapter of his career, Chaisson made it clear that his time in Foxborough meant a lot to him.

Chaisson Thanks Patriots for Reviving His Career

After the signing was confirmed, Chaisson shared an emotional message thanking the Patriots organization for giving him another chance when his career was at a crossroads.

“New England believed in me when my career needed it most. I’ll always be grateful to the New England Patriots for helping me find my game again. Now my journey continues somewhere else, but I truly hope this isn’t the last time I wear a Patriots jersey.”

The 26-year-old edge defender joined New England on a prove-it contract after struggling to find consistency earlier in his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and during a short stint with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Breakout 2025 Season in New England

Chaisson delivered the best season of his career in 2025 with the Patriots.

Key numbers from his breakout year:

• 7.5 sacks

• 59 total quarterback pressures

• Major role as a situational pass rusher

His production helped transform him from a depth signing into one of the Patriots’ most disruptive defensive pieces.

Playoff Impact Raised His Value

Chaisson’s impact grew even more during the postseason.

Across four playoff games, he generated 20 quarterback pressures, playing a key role in the Patriots’ defensive surge that helped power their run to the Super Bowl.

That postseason performance likely played a big part in boosting his free-agent value.

Commanders Betting on Continued Growth

Now the Commanders are hoping Chaisson’s resurgence wasn’t a one-year fluke.

Washington views him as a player who may just be entering his prime after finally finding the right role and system in New England.

For the Patriots, losing Chaisson removes one of the defense’s most surprising success stories from last season.

An Unexpected Comeback Story

Chaisson originally entered the NFL with high expectations after being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

However, his early years were marked by inconsistency and limited production.

His turnaround in New England became one of the more unexpected stories of the 2025 season — proof that sometimes a new environment can unlock a player’s potential.

While Chaisson now begins a new chapter in Washington, Patriots fans will remember the season when he rediscovered the talent that once made him such a highly touted prospect. 🏈