March 3, 2026, 2:20 p.m. ET
As the 2026 offseason approaches, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will explore every avenue to upgrade their pass rush, and one name that could quietly emerge in free agency is edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson.
Chaisson enjoyed the most productive season of his career in 2025 with the New England Patriots, finally putting it all together after stints with several other teams. He played in 16 games and recorded 31 total tackles (18 solo) and a career-high 7.5 sacks, along with two forced fumbles and even a defensive touchdown, putting an exclamation mark on a breakout year as a consistent pass-rush threat. His ability to create pressure, convert sacks, and even make splash plays will catch the eye of teams looking for edge depth.
From Tampa Bay’s perspective, Chaisson might be the kind of mid-tier free agent who offers strong upside without costing a top-end contract. Players with his production profile typically land short-term, moderate-value deals in free agency, according to Sportac, which could be around $8 million.
A team-friendly structure that fits a Bucs roster, balancing cap flexibility with defensive needs, could be in the cards.
The Buccaneers could view Chaisson as a versatile piece who provides more dynamic pass-rush than they had last year, while still leaving room to target a veteran or a draft investment elsewhere. In a league where depth and adaptability off the edge are critical, Chaisson’s 2025 breakout makes him one of the more intriguing free-agent candidates for Tampa Bay to monitor as the offseason unfolds.
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