Jaguars Decline K'Lavon Chaissson's 5th-Year Option

The Jacksonville Jaguars will decline the fifth-year option on 2020 first-round pick K'Lavon Chaisson, setting up an important 2020 for the former No. 20 overall pick.

Chaisson missed a chunk of the season after being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury in Week 5. Chaisson appeared in 11 games, recording 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack.

Chaisson appeared in 31 games and started 11 over his first two seasons, recording two sacks, six tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. His snaps decreased from 51% to 39% from his rookie year to 2021, though, and then he played just 31 defensive snaps for the Jaguars in four games this year, recording three tackles in the process.

In three seasons, Chaisson has appeared in 42 games, starting 11. In that span, he has recorded 63 tackles, three sacks, event ackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, and one pass breakup. 

With the Jaguars only drafting one edge rusher in the 2023 NFL Draft (fifth-round pick Yasir Abdullah), Chaisson will now have a fighting chance at making the 2023 roster as a special teams ace after playing 49% of the Jaguars' special teams snaps last year. 

"I think we are leaning on that. We are expecting Josh Allen to take the lead and of course Travon's there and K'Lavon Chaisson to take a step," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said about Chaisson and the Jaguars' pass-rush after the draft.

"They're all guys that have been here, the second year in the defense. Jordan Smith is coming back off injury. He has another opportunity there. So, yeah, we expect greater results starting in training camp and then obviously carrying over to the regular season. Looking forward to it. Looking forward to working with these guys, developing their skill set even more."