At the start of the Patriots' dynasty, their defense was loaded with top talent, which made them a force to be reckoned with and created problems for opposing defenses; many are now enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After those initial three Super Bowl wins, Bill Belichick tried to replicate that dominant defense, but it was never quite the same, particularly the pass rush. Although it certainly improved over the years, the production never matched that of players like Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, and Richard Seymour.
Over the last several years, it has become a prominent weakness on the roster, particularly after Jerod Mayo and Co. chose to trade Matthew Judon, creating a massive opportunity for new pass rushers to make a name for themselves, the latest being K'Lavon Chaisson during the 2025 season.
The linebacker received a prove-it deal in free agency, and he has already proven that he deserves an extension before the offseason, and his case continues to be strengthened by his postseason performance.
So much so that he is now on the brink of solidifying himself in Patriots history books and could be forever remembered along with some of the top names in franchise history.
K'Lavon Chaisson has a chance to become part of Patriots' history in Super Bowl LX
As one of the leading pass rushers on the Patriots' defense this year, Chaisson has taken the opportunity given to him and thrived in his new environment, in a way no one predicted when he was initially signed.
With Harold Landry III dealing with injuries over the last few months, the defense needed someone to step up and take over, which Chaisson has done, and he has already recorded three sacks over the last three games, putting himself 13th in New England playoff history for sacks.
If he is able to sack Sam Darnold in the Super Bowl, he will jump into the top-10 and be among the likes of Bruschi and Seymour.
That would be quite a feat for a player who was vastly overlooked when he first joined the team, and one who continues not to earn much discussion going into the Super Bowl. Clearly, he has become exactly what the Patriots needed, and with another standout performance against the Seahawks, he very well should be signing on the dotted line ahead of free agency.