Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the New England Patriots will look to bounce back after two 4-13 seasons. As the third Patriots frontman in three years, Vrabel will look to bring the Patriots back to relevancy not only in the AFC East but also as a Super Bowl contender in the coming seasons.
As a player, Vrabel won three Super Bowls with the Patriots during his eight-year tenure in Foxborough (2001-2008). In that span, New England finished top 10 in team defense a remarkable six times, headlined by having the number one defense in 2003. The new Patriots leader knows just how important defense is from his playing days, and his unit was the star of the show in the majority of Tom Brady's earliest Super Bowl appearances.
If the Patriots want to hoist the Lombardi Trophy again any time soon, the defense will have to take a major leap this season. With Vrabel leading the way in terms of free agency signings, draft selections, and coaching changes, this year's unit has the potential to finish within the top 10 of team defense statistics.
The Patriots should be able to generate much more pressure than a measly 28 sacks (last in the NFL) in 2024, with this former Las Vegas Raider becoming one of the main beneficiaries. When the 2025 season wraps up, K'Lavon Chaisson will have played himself into a big payday at the age of 26.
Patriots LB K'Lavon Chaisson Will Show Out on Cheap Contract
As the 20th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, Chaisson tallied 9.5 sacks in three years at LSU. After winning the National Championship with the Tigers in 2019, Chaisson was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round.
His tenure in Duval County couldn't have gone much worse, as Chaisson only tallied 5 sacks in 4 years as a Jaguar. He missed eight games during the 2022 season and wasn't retained by the team after his rookie contract expired following the 2023 season.
The Raiders took a chance on Chaisson, signing him to a one-year, $1.1 million contract last offseason. Maybe a change of scenery was what the LSU product needed, as Chaisson matched his career sack total in one year with the Raiders (5). He received the 26th-best pass rush grade (74.7), according to Pro Football Focus, and finished tied for second in sacks on the Raiders despite missing two games.
In March, the Patriots upped the ante and signed Chaisson to another one-year deal, this time worth $5 million. If Chaisson's 2024 performance wasn't enough, he now has a former linebacker/pass rusher in Mike Vrabel coaching him up. Vrabel has been known to get the most out of his pass rushers, like he did in Tennessee. Chaisson showed flashes with the Raiders, and now Vrabel can help him unlock more potential, hopefully becoming a mainstay on the Patriots' defense.
During this offseason, Chaisson has stayed committed to his craft, working with a former teammate and one of the best pass rushers the sport has to offer in Maxx Crosby.
#Patriots DE K’Lavon Chaisson has been training in Las Vegas with #Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) July 7, 2025
Chaisson previously stated that he is extremely motivated heading into his sixth season.
(🎥 krisbarnes_ IG) pic.twitter.com/pHTs0sV4PG
It won't take long for Chaisson to meet his former teammate Crosby and the Raiders again, as the two teams will match up in Week 1 at Gillette Stadium.
First, we'll see how Chaisson fares in training camp with Anfernee Jennings and fifth-round pick Bradyn Swinson at his position. Patriots fans will keep an eye on the former first-round pick, in hopes that he can improve upon a career-best year in 2024. The talent is there for Chaisson, and you can expect Vrabel to get the most out of him.
Chaisson turns 26 on July 25 and could be in line for a multi-year deal with New England following a big 2025 performance.