The Washington Commanders added another pass rusher to their arsenal by signing former New England Patriots edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson. Here are five things to know about one of the Commanders' new defenders.
1. He was a star at North Shore High School.
Chaisson didn't have a long high school career at North Shore in Houston, Texas, but it didn't take much for college scouts to view him as one of the best prospects in the state.
Chaisson was placed into the Mustangs' starting lineup and immediately became one of the team's most impactful players. He recorded 15.5 sacks, which led the entire state, to go with 50 tackles during his senior season. He helped the school capture a state championship and was named to The Associated Press' All-state team. His name was all over the stat sheet in the title game with two sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
Chaisson ended his high school career as a four-star recruit, according to ESPN, and was the seventh-best prospect in the state. He received over two dozen scholarship offers but ultimately chose LSU over Florida and Texas.
2. But football wasn't always his preferred path.
Chaisson's junior year of high school wasn't his first experience with football. He first joined North Shore's team as a freshman but quit to pursue a basketball career, and there was a brief spell where he thought he would try to be a basketball star.
That dream was short-lived, though. As he said in a Boston.com article in February, he started playing against 6-foot-7 guards like Kelly Oubre and De'Aaron Fox, which forced him to think that basketball wasn't for him. Plus, football was in his blood; his father, Kelvin, was a three-time all-district linebacker and played for Baylor at the collegiate level.
Kelvin was shot and killed by his girlfriend at 33 years old, depriving K'Lavon of his father and mentor. It was that pain that helped push him back into football so he could follow in his father's footsteps.
"I just took a chance to get back on the football field and honor everything that I feel like my family has embraced in the sport."
Check out the top photos of future Washington Commander K'Lavon Chaisson.
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson (44) celebrates a sack of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) rushes during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) makes a pass while pressured by New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson, right, hits Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson, left, brings down Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, right, in the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) reacts after a sack during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson, left, hits Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) reacts after a sack during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) rushes during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) runs against New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson (44) during the first half of an NFL football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson (44) celebrates the win against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson, left, has his arm taped during an NFL football practice, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson celebrates with the trophy after the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson (44) warms up during an NFL football practice, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson, left, has his arm taped during an NFL football practice, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson walks on the field during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New England Patriots K'Lavon Chaisson (44) poses for a portrait on Opening Night ahead of the Super Bowl 60 football game, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in San Jose, CA. (Maddie Knight/AP Content Services for the NFL)
New England Patriots K'Lavon Chaisson (44) poses for a portrait on Opening Night ahead of the Super Bowl 60 football game, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in San Jose, CA. (Maddie Knight/AP Content Services for the NFL)
New England Patriots K'Lavon Chaisson (44) poses for a portrait on Opening Night ahead of the Super Bowl 60 football game, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in San Jose, CA. (Maddie Knight/AP Content Services for the NFL)
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44), head coach Mike Vrabel, middle, and wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) stand during the national anthem before the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson talks to the media during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., ahead of the Super Bowl 60 NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson talks to the media during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., ahead of the Super Bowl 60 NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) catches a pass as New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson (44) and safety Craig Woodson, right, defend during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) escapes a tackle attempt by New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson, right, during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson (44) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New England Patriots linebacker K'lavon Chaisson (44) hits Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Scot Tucker/AP Content Services for the NFL)
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) reacts to a call during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) walks on the field before the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) walks on the field before the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
FILE -New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) looks to get past Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Charles Cross (67) during the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)
3. He wore the coveted No. 18 jersey at LSU.
There are several college programs that put special distinctions on certain jersey numbers. Temple, for example, reserves single-digit numbers for their best leaders. Ohio State gives the No. 0 to the player the coaches feel best represent the best parts of their culture.
LSU does something similar with their No. 7 and 18 jerseys. The latter, which Chaisson wore during his redshirt sophomore season, was originally worn by quarterback Matt Mauck, who led the Tigers to their first national championship in 50 years back in 2003. The number has since been passed down annually to the player who exemplifies LSU's standards for leadership and has immense attention to detail.
Chaisson shared the number with center Lloyd Cushenberry, and it sounds like it was an easy decision for then-LSU head coach Ed Orgeron.
"The guy is a professional," Orgeron said. "The reason we gave him the No. 18 is because of his character. He's the ultimate team player."
4. He reignited his career with the Patriots.
Chaisson struggled to live up to the first-round status he had when the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him 20th overall in 2020. He had just five sacks in his four seasons with the team, and it looked like his career would take a negative turn. He signed with the Carolina Panthers but was released before the regular season and briefly spent time on the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad before getting promoted to the active roster.
The New England Patriots took a chance on him in 2025, and it ended up being a worthy investment. He recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks to go with two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
"[Chaisson] showed up in the offseason ready to learn, and work, and earn a role," Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said of Chaisson. "He's done that, and I would say that he's an important member of the punt team, something that he's taken very seriously since he got here. Trying to do those things and help us on the punt team. He's taking advantage of his opportunities."
Although Chaisson didn't start every game for the Patriots, he was one of their best defenders. He ranked second on the team in sacks and paced the squad with 74 pressures. He also had three sacks during the Patriots' playoff run with 10 quarterback hits.
5. He helps the Commanders address a serious need.
It wasn't a secret that the Commanders were looking for players to upgrade their pass rush. The number of injuries they had showed just how thin they were at the position, and it played a role in their defense dropping to the bottom of the rankings against the pass.
Chaisson should help change that. It's unclear how long Dorance Armstrong will need to make a full recovery from his ACL tear, so Chaisson could have a larger role at the start of the season. The Commanders could do much worse than Chaisson, who had more pressures than any player on their roster last year. Between him and fellow newcomer Odafe Oweh, they at least have a better group on paper.
The Commanders are banking on Chaisson, 26, being an ascending player in his sixth season.
"I think...it's just proving it to myself -- proving it to this organization -- that they made the right decision in bringing me along and helping them reach the ultimate goal, and that's to bring the Lombardi back [to D.C.]."
