New England Patriots
“I just [get] too excited in the moment, man.”
FOXBOROUGH — In the moment, K’Lavon Chaisson didn’t know how to react.
Other than run, of course.
The Patriots’ 26-year-old edge rusher secured his first career touchdown in New England’s Week 7 win over the Titans — scooping up a fumbled ball off the hands of Tennessee QB Cam Ward and waltzing into the end zone for six points.
The elation that came after the scoop-and-score gave way to a few chirps as he made his way back to New England’s sideline.
“It was dope. It happened so quick,” Chaisson said Wednesday at Gillette Stadium. “The guys were making fun of me by just running even past the end zone. … I got it a little bit [from my teammates]. Especially, the guys make fun of me a little bit for not having a sack celebration as well.”
As bombastic as Chaisson has been this season when it comes to splintering opposing pass protection and wreaking havoc behind the line of scrimmage, most of his takedowns of QBs have usually been followed up with a few shouts of triumph before getting surrounded by his teammates.
“I just [get] too excited in the moment, man,” Chaisson said of his lack of a celebration. “I don’t have anything pre-planned, bro. I just be dope excited. Get your yell and scream out. Get you a couple words in and get back to the sideline.”
Considering how often Chaisson is finding himself behind the line of scrimmage this season, might he change his approach and cook up a celebration moving forward?
“No, I’m six years in,” Chaisson said with a smile. “It is what it is.”
Celebration or not, Chaisson has made a habit of disrupting opposing offensive drives amid a breakout season in New England.
After posting two sacks and scoring his touchdown against the Titans, Chaisson was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.
“I mean, he showed up in the offseason ready to learn, work and earn a role, and he’s done that,” Mike Vrabel said of Chaisson’s play so far this season. “I would say that he’s an important member of the punt team. Something that he’s taken very seriously since he got here, trying to do those things and help us on the punt team, and then taking advantage of his opportunities.”
A former first-round pick (20th overall, 2020) by the Jaguars, Chaisson had bounced around on a few teams as a situational pass-rusher before signing a one-year deal with New England this past offseason.
Prior to the 2025 NFL season, Chaisson’s career-high for sacks in a season was 5.0 across 15 games with the Raiders in 2024.
Through six games so far with the Patriots this year, Chaisson has already posted 4.5 sacks — while his 25 pressures generated (per PFF) ranks 19th out of 113 edge defenders so far this season.
In an offseason where New England spent heavily in free agency to bring in established talent like Harold Landry and Milton Williams, Chaisson stood as more of a low-risk, high-reward pick — who quickly drew praise from Patriots coaches during training camp.
“The thing about KC is he’s smart. He’s a vet. He’s seen it. Loves the game of football,” Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith said of Chaisson in August. “The way he works, the way he prepares,” Smith said. “He’s one of these guys that you talk about stuff, and he gets it pretty quick.
“A lot of these guys you get in free agency on one-year deals, and they’ve got something to prove. I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder, and he’s got something to prove — getting a home and being somewhere is a big thing for him. He’s playing well.”
For Chaisson, Wednesday’s accolade stands as a reaffirming result amid a breakthrough season — one that he believed would eventually present itself amid a clean slate with the Patriots.
“I believe it’s showing like that on the film, excited for just the opportunity in general,” Chaisson said. “You’ve got to make the best of every opportunity that you get on the field. So excited to be able to do that with my brothers and with my teammates.”
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