Report: Washington Commanders signing former New England Patriots DE K'Lavon Chaisson

The Washington Commanders are signing former New England Patriots edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Chaisson’s deal is for one year and worth $12 million.

Chaisson, 26, was one of the best edge rushers on the free agent market after putting together a breakout season in 2025 with the New England Patriots. When Chaisson signed with the Patriots last offseason, it was hardly seen as a major addition. The 2020 first-round pick had just five sacks in four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before getting five in 2024 with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Chaisson was meant to be a depth piece for New England. He ended up being the team’s most effective pass rusher. Chaisson recorded 7.5 sacks to go along with 54 pressures, 18th-most in the NFL. The former LSU star shined during the Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl, compiling three sacks and 10 quarterback hits.

Commanders have a new pass rush duo after landing K’Lavon Chaisson

Chaisson will look to continue his ascension in Washington, a team which has been making significant moves in free agency. The Commanders on Monday agreed to four-year, $100 million deal with former Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Odafe Oweh.

Oweh began the 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted him in the first-round back in 2021. He failed to record a sack in five games before being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in October. Oweh was effective for the Chargers, compiling 7.5 sacks in 12 games. He added three more sacks in the team’s AFC Wild Card Round defeat to the New England Patriots.

In five seasons, Oweh has tallied 30.5 sacks, 176 tackles (118 solo), 34 tackles for loss and 79 quarterback hits. He is just two seasons removed from setting a career-high with 10.0 sacks.

Washington needed to get younger on the defensive side of the ball and upgrade its pass rush. Oweh and Chaisson accomplish just that.