One of the most expected first moves the Patriots were projected to make at the start of free agency was signing a pass rusher, and they did just as they were predicted to by getting Dre'Mont Jones on a three-year contract.
The 29-year-old split last season between the Titans and the Ravens, logging 43 combined tackles, seven for a loss, 24 quarterback hits, one pass defended, two fumble recoveries, and seven sacks. That's the kind of production the Patriots' defense certainly needs, especially if they're not going to bring back last year's sack leader, K'Lavon Chaisson.
Looking at the current EDGE market, after just one day of the legal tampering period, it's looking scarce for the Patriots to add the caliber of player they need. The top available player remains Trey Hendrickson, but his price tag might not be one New England wants to pay.
That leaves Chaisson as the best re-signing, but signs are not pointing to that becoming a reality.
The Patriots are trending toward not bringing back K'Lavon Chaisson
After putting together the best season of his career on a one-year prove-it deal, there was a lot of chatter about the Patriots needing to re-sign Chaisson before his market value increased to a point that they wouldn't even entertain the idea.
Because he impressed in 2025, there are inevitably far more teams calling about signing him to their roster, and the Patriots should be one of them. But if signing Jones is an indication of what's to come, it's not looking good for Chaisson to return.
It would be quite a loss for the defense, as he became an integral part of their success last year, particularly when Harold Landry III went down with an injury. That forced Chaisson to step into a role he wasn't expected to hold, and he exceeded all expectations with ease, proving the Patriots were right in believing he could be a game-changer.
They now have a decision to make, and based on what we've seen so far, Chaisson might make more sense to bring back than taking a risk on 31-year-old Hendrickson, who is coming off a season cut short by a hip/pelvis injury that required surgery.
There might be more value in seeing what Chaisson can do in a similar role next year, especially if Landry continues to deal with injuries. But the chances of that actually happening don't look good, and that might be a reality fans need to face.