General manager Adam Peters did nothing at the 2026 trade deadline. For all the speculation and rumors swirling around the Washington Commanders, it was another quiet period for the organization as their fortunes hang in the balance at 2-5-1.
K'Lavon Chaisson was among those being touted as a possible option for teams looking for edge-rushing help. The Commanders may have taken calls on his availability, but it's not clear. Either way, Peters opted to keep the veteran around, which may have tipped the scales on where his future beyond 2026 goes.
Chaisson signed a one-year deal with the Commanders in free agency. It was a strategic move for the edge rusher, who was coming off a breakout campaign with the New England Patriots.
Commanders' trade deadline stance put K'Lavon Chaisson closer to a payday
The New Orleans Saints offered him more long-term security. Even so, Chaisson also knew that more money could arrive next spring with another strong campaign.
The Commanders were willing to take that chance.
And through eight games, Chaisson is proving them right.
Amid all the underachievement and poor results, Chaisson has emerged as a real positive. He's generating consistent pressure, is becoming a standout presence against the run, and the 2020 first-round pick out of LSU already has three forced fumbles to his name.
Chaisson's relentless effort has endeared him to fans. He's overcome a lot of adversity to get here, and he isn't planning to let his standards slip now.
The Commanders could have easily cut their losses and gotten a mid-round pick for Chaisson. But that would have sent the wrong message.
This is the type of player you pay for, not dispose of at the first chance you get.
Commanders must keep K'Lavon Chaisson around if his good form continues
It's a fine line, of course.
Chaisson's next contract won't come cheap, potentially landing in the $20 million per year range. The Commanders gave Odafe Oweh $96 million this offseason, so the price point would have to work to secure his extension.
There are ways to make it work. And if Chaisson keeps up this level of performance, the Commanders' decision should be a no-brainer.
The Commanders didn't seem especially keen to hold a fire sale, despite the Philadelphia Eagles pulling the trigger on several blockbuster deals that greatly improve their draft capital in the coming years.
Peters is trying to salvage something now, and this roster doesn't have the strength or depth to part ways with productive players.
Chaisson fits into that category. And by not trading him before the deadline, the Commanders are letting things play out before potentially extending him next spring.
K'Lavon Chaisson's growing leadership will be key to a Commanders turnaround
This is a supreme vote of confidence in Chaisson. It should also provide extra motivation to kick on over the second half of 2026 and leave no doubt about his long-term importance.
He's already been vocal heading into a crunch Thursday Night Football game against the New York Giants, challenging his teammates to step up in a must-win game. Losing is not an option, and he knows it, so Chaisson's growing voice in the locker room is another reason why Peters stood pat.
"Now, right? What's the point of being close? We are 8 games in. Either you figure it out or you'll continue to find yourself in the same position."
Good pass-rushers are hard to find. For all the Commanders' failures elsewhere on the depth chart, this room has talent. Trading Chaisson would have put a significant dent in that, so keeping him around was the right call.
And if things continue trending positively for Chaisson over the next nine games, he can expect a much bigger payday when his representatives return to the negotiating table.
Whether that's with the Commanders or another club remains to be seen, but Peters would be wise to do whatever it takes to retain Chaisson when the time comes.
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