Could the New England Patriots make this big contract decision on this rising star?
The New England Patriots boast the best record in football heading into their Week 13 matchup with the New York Giants, sitting at 10-2 and two-and-a-half games ahead of the Buffalo Bills for first place in the AFC East.
While Drake Maye has been the center of attention for the Patriots, New England's defense has also been a significant reason for the team's resurgence, and one of the Pats' most productive defenders has been edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson.
Chaisson has logged 18 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits thus far in 2025 while playing in 69 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps.
New England signed the former first-round pick to a one-year deal last offseason, and its decision is paying huge dividends.
The problem is that Chaisson is slate to hit free agency in March, and given how strong of a campaign he has been having, he could have a fairly robust market.
That's why Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox is urging the Patriots to take care of things with Chaisson before things get that far.
New England Patriots edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images."While New England is busy compiling its 2026 shopping list, it should find time to give 26-year-old edge-rusher K'Lavon Chaisson an extension," Knox wrote.
Chaisson began his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 but was a major disappointment over his first four seasons, amassing a grand total of five sacks.
The LSU product then landed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 and finally began showing why the Jaguars used the 20th overall pick on him, managing 32 tackles and five sacks. Most of that production also came during the second half of the year when Chaisson received more playing time.
The Pats' pass rush has not been great as a whole this season, so retaining Chaisson — while also adding another piece to bolster the pass-rushing unit — will be key.
But will the Patriots actually try to lock up the 26-year-old before he gets to free agency? New England is slated to have a wealth of cap room for the second straight offseason, so the Pats definitely have the financial means to do it.
We'll see if the Patriots actually decide to follow through, though.