The Washington Commanders are in agreement with outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson on a one-year, $12 million deal, NFL Network reported Wednesday.
Chaisson, 26, joins his fourth team in four seasons following a breakout campaign with the New England Patriots in 2025. He set career highs in sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (10), quarterback hits (18) and forced fumbles (two) in 16 regular season games (10 starts) and added three sacks in four playoff games.
A first-round pick (20th overall) by Jacksonville in 2020, Chaisson has tallied 17.5 sacks, 49 QB hits, 136 tackles, three forced fumbles and one interception in 88 games (25 starts) with the Jaguars (2020-23), Las Vegas Raiders (2024) and Patriots (2025).
The Commanders also reportedly are signing free agent tight end Chig Okonkwo and safety Nick Cross, reuniting a pair of former Maryland players from the 2022 NFL Draft class.
Okonkwo, 26, set career highs with 56 receptions, 79 targets and 560 yards, along with two touchdowns in 17 games (12 starts) for the Tennessee Titans last season. He’s signing a three-year deal worth up to $30 million, NFL Network reported.
For his career, Okonkwo has 194 catches on 272 targets for 2,017 yards and eight touchdowns in 68 games (42 starts) for the Titans.
Tennessee selected Okonkwo in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Maryland. Indianapolis picked Cross in the third round. He’s signing with Washington on a two-year deal worth up to $14 million, NFL Network reported.
Cross, 24, started all 17 regular-season games for the Colts last season and made 120 tackles with 2.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and five passes defensed.
He played on 96% of the defensive snaps (1,111) last season and 100% (1,155) in 2024 when he also started all 17 games.
In four seasons, Cross has 322 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 12 passes defensed.
Chaisson and Cross join a Washington defense that added pass rusher Odafe Oweh and linebacker Leo Chenal in free agency earlier this week.
–Field Level Media
