The Carolina Panthers are trying to boost their pass-rushing attack with a former first-round pick.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the team is signing outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. Chaisson spent his first four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars selected the Louisiana State University Tiger with the 20th overall pick of the 2020 draft. That’s when he first crossed paths with current Panthers defensive line coach Todd Wash, who was entering his fifth and final year as Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator.
Chaisson is coming off a career-high 2.0 sacks in 2023. He also recorded 13 combined tackles and eight quarterback hits over 17 outings.
Jacksonville had used the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder sparingly on defense over the past three seasons. He played in 39.2 percent of the unit’s snaps in 2021, 18.4 percent (nine games) in 2022 and 25.4 percent this past season.
Along with Chaisson, Carolina added former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher D.J. Wonnum on a two-year, $12.5 agreement on Thursday.
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