During his time with the Green Bay Packers, outside linebackers coach Mike Smith saw the team ink Za’Darius Smith to a four-year contract despite his previous role in Baltimore being that of “only” a situational pass rusher.
Taking on a bigger role in Green Bay’s defense, the Smith exploded onto the scene recording 26 sacks over the next two seasons to pair with two Pro Bowl appearances — all under the Patriots new assistant coach’s tutelage.
Now in New England, Smith is hoping to watch a similar story
unfold with K’Lavon Chaisson.
“I like finding those free agent guys – Za’Darius when he was in Baltimore. Maybe he didn’t play as much,” said Smith, who specifically noticed Chaisson mixing in more power rushes last season in Las Vegas.
“I saw [power]. I saw the athleticism. I saw how he plays. How physical he is. We get guys to sit — how violent we play, there’s nothing pretty about pass rush. Nothing pretty about it. Watch Maxx Crosby. Watch Nick Bosa. Watch Za’Darius, any of these guys. They’re violent human beings. Just building stuff off of that. You can put the tape on and see how athletic this kid is. You can find some gold, some guys like that in free agency that can help.”
A first-round pick by Jacksonville in 2020, Chaisson totaled just five sacks over his four seasons with the Jaguars before opening last year on the Raiders practice squad. Elevated to the active roster during in the season, Chaisson flashed posting a career-high five sacks over the final six games of the regular season.
That led to the veteran pass rusher signing a one-year deal with the Patriots in free agency, where he has now built off his late-season surge.
“The thing about KC is he’s smart. He’s a vet. He’s seen it. Loves the game of football. 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 and get them on 1-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.”
Chaisson has been one of the Patriots best defensive players throughout training camp, spending plenty of time in the backfield around quarterback Drake Maye. This week, Chaisson spent a pair of practices as New England’s top edge rusher opposite of Harold Landry as he continues to look at home in Mike Vrabel’s defense.
“Just going out and having fun and playing ball, not getting too caught up in the schematics or anything else,” Chaisson said last week in Minnesota. “Enjoying the game again, treating it like a child’s game — going out there, enjoying the smell of the grass and pads clacking. I think that’s been the big emphasis that’s been helping out for sure.”
