Jacksonville Jaguars decline K'Lavon Chaisson 5th-year option: 4 observations

No. 2 Jaguars OLB K'Lavon Chaisson still has a chance to stay

Keep in mind that the Jaguars aren't moving on from Chaisson yet. They chose not to exercise the fifth-year option, which could show they're ready to pull the plug on him but they won't do it just yet. Players such as Denver Broncos left tackle Garrett Bolles and New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones also got their options declined but after breaking out, they went on to sign a multi-year deal with their respective teams.

Chaisson could follow a similar path. This doesn't mean he will but it shouldn't be ruled out either. Last year, he said that the arrival of Travon Walker lit a fire in him. In the end, it was put out quickly but not getting his option picked up could be the wake-up call he needed to put it all together. If he does and finally lives up to expectations, he would then give general manager Trent Baalke a tough decision to make in free agency.

Conversely, Chaisson would be in a position to cash in next offseason. Working in his favor is that he's healthy and in control of his own destiny.

No. 1 Jaguars OLB K'Lavon Chaisson has time to put it all together

When we think of success in the NFL, Pro Bowl, First-Team All-Pro Selections and other accolades come to mind. However, there are other ways to measure whether a player has had a productive career.

You don't have to make the Pro Bowl to be successful in the pros. Maybe you can carve a niche as a blocking tight end, a third-down running back, or a pass-rush specialist. This is to say that Chaisson might never reach the upper echelon of edge rushers in the NFL but that doesn't mean he'll be a marginal player.

Even though Chaisson's career isn't off to a great start, he still has time to reach his ceiling, which might not be as high as that of Myles Garrett or Joey Bosa. That won't make him a bad player though.

Maybe Chaisson's career path ends up resembling that of Arden Key, who also got off to a slow start but has turned the corner in recent years. Chaisson will now be in the same system in consecutive years for the first time in his career and may that's what he's needed all along.