Outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson hasn't lived up to expectations since the Jacksonville Jaguars made him the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Thus, it's not particularly breaking news that the fifth-year option on his rookie deal has been declined.
Just a couple of days after the conclusion of this year's draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Jags have chosen not to exercise Chaisson's fifth-year option. Now, he's slated to become a free agent next offseason. This doesn't mean he will leave Jacksonville but his chances of sticking around have decreased considerably.
Chaisson struggled in his rookie season, playing with his hand on the ground after rushing the passer from a standup position at LSU. Then again, he finished the season strong, logging 21 total pressures in the last seven games, which gave a gleam of hope heading into 2021.
With Urban Meyer taking over in 2021, Chaisson got a clean slate and moved to outside linebacker, the position where he could maximize his skill set. However, he once again failed to make an impact and managed to rack up just one sack.
Last year marked the third time the Jags changed head coaches since 2020. This might have affected Chaisson, who saw a diminished role in the pass-rush rotation. To make matters worse, he was sidelined with a knee injury and spent a few weeks on the Injured Reserve. He returned near the end of the 2022 season but didn't do much of note.
After three uneventful seasons, Chaisson is now entering a contract year, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Here are four takeaways from the Jaguars' decision not to pick up the option.
No. 4 Jaguars OLB K'Lavon Chaisson may keep tumbling down the depth chart
Chaisson has seen playing time progressively decrease over the last three seasons. After appearing in 51 percent of the defensive snaps in his rookie season, he played in just 39 percent in 2021. It's true that he missed time with injuries last year but he only appeared on 18 percent of the defensive snaps of the contests he was available for.
This showed a lack of trust from the Jaguars' coaching staff and Chaisson might have a hard time seeing an uptick of snaps next season despite the fact that defensive end Arden Key left in free agency and outside linebacker Dawuane Smoot remains unsigned.
The Jags drafted Yasir Abdullah in Round 5 and they also seemed interested in reuniting with defensive Yannick Ngakoue. Chaisson would need to compete for playing time with them and even if he made strides, he will most likely need to split snaps.
No. 3 The Jaguars could trade K'Lavon Chaisson before the start of the 2023 season
Chaisson has seemingly been the subject of trade talks since the conclusion of the 2020 season and the Jags came close to shipping him back in 2021. In the end, they might be waiting on him to reach his potential but he could be running out of time.
If the team's brass thinks they've seen enough of Chaisson, they could then put him on the trade block. Although there might not be a massive target for his services, teams in need of pass-rush help should get on the phone with Jacksonville.
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.