The word bust is often thrown around in sports, usually prematurely. That was precisely the case with one of the Washington Commanders' top free agent signings, edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson.
As a first-round pick back in 2020, Chaisson recorded only five sacks in four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was then cut by the Carolina Panthers without playing a competitive snap, and signed by the Las Vegas Raiders in a last-ditch effort to save his career.
All he did was double his career sack total in one season. Chaisson then had an even better campaign with the New England Patriots on a one-year, prove-it deal in 2025, helping the AFC East club reach the Super Bowl. Now he's in Washington looking to continue his upward trajectory, and the former LSU star is ready for battle.
K'Lavon Chaisson tells Commanders fans precisely what to expect after free agency switch
The new addition to Daronte Jones' defense sat down with Bryan Colbert Jr. of the Next Man Up podcast, discussing what type of impact he can make in Washington. His words should be what every Commanders fan wants to hear.
"I never quit... the mindset and the energy that I play with, it's now or never for me. I don't believe there's another opportunity when I get on that field. I've been a part of being released, having injuries, and not being able to play... I can see it from all perspectives."
Chaisson, as has been the theme for him since his time in Jacksonville ended, signed a one-year deal with Washington. He'll make up to $11 million with $10.3 million guaranteed to ideally be a starting-caliber pass-rusher for the Commanders, who desperately needed help in that regard entering free agency.
His career trajectory and likely role in Washington draw comparisons to another former Jaguars castoff, Dante Fowler Jr. Like the 2015 No. 3 overall pick, Chaisson can line up on the edge or as an extra linebacker, and figures to bring high energy to a unit that sorely lacked it last year under Joe Whitt Jr.
Chaisson could be one of Washington's biggest X-factors on defense. There is a world where he takes another step forward and plays at a Pro Bowl level, or he could take a backseat to Odafe Oweh and Dorance Armstrong Jr. as a utility piece. But whatever the case, he is going to give it his all for his new squad.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed in the NFL, and nobody knows that better than Chaisson.