The New England Patriots didn't let head coach Mike Vrabel down when facing his old team on Sunday. The Patriots marched into Nissan Stadium in Week 7 and walked out with a massive 31-13 win over the Tennessee Titans, further solidifying New England's lead atop the AFC East with a 5-2 record.
The Patriots' defense played a huge role in the win, as the unit held the Titans to 255 total yards and a 3-of-10 third-down conversion rate. Among New England's best defensive performers was linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson, who's continuing to prove that he's found his home with Vrabel & Co.
Now, it's time for the Patriots to lock Chaisson down before it's too late.
Patriots Must Extend LB K'Lavon Chaisson After Week 7
Chaisson made his presence felt against the Titans on Sunday, doing just about everything the coaching staff asked from him. The former 2020 first-rounder finished the day with two solo tackles, a pair of tackles for loss, and three pressures, which included two quarterback hits and a hurry, according to Pro Football Focus.
That's without mentioning the fumble he recovered for a four-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. (h/t @NESportsFellow). By the time the dust settled, Chaisson's 67.7 overall PFF grade was tied for his best effort of the season, while his 67.7 pass rush grade was his top performance since becoming a Patriot.
Including his latest outing, Chaisson is up to 24 pressures on the season, putting him five back of the career high he's had twice (29 in 2020, 2024) despite playing about half as many snaps as those occasions. He's clearly thriving under Vrabel's watch, making him an obvious extension candidate before the offseason.
After signing three straight one-year contracts with the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Patriots, Chaisson will be looking for stability after the 2025 season. His next deal will likely earn him more than the $3 million salary that his current contract demands, and New England will have more than enough money to extend him, given that Spotrac projects just over $66.4 million in available space for the 2026 offseason.
Four of the Patriots' next six opponents entered Week 7 with sub-.500 records, meaning there will be plenty of opportunities on the horizon for Chaisson to maintain his moment. If he can do so by keeping his foot on the gas pedal, New England will have no choice but to put pen to paper sooner rather than later.