Christian Elliss Emerges as Patriots’ Key Linebacker

From Waiver Claim to Starter

Since Bill Belichick left New England in January 2024, the Patriots have overhauled their roster, keeping only 12 players from that final season. Christian Elliss, a waiver claim from the 2023 campaign, is one of those holdovers and has turned his role into a steady contributor. He arrived after being cut by Philadelphia in December 2023 and the Patriots secured his services with their second waiver pick.

Before New England, Elliss bounced through several teams in 2021, spending brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, mostly on practice squads. He eventually landed with the Eagles and saw limited action, establishing a reputation as a solid special‑teamer over the next two years. His college days at Idaho produced two first‑team All‑Big Sky honors.

Standing 6′1¾″ and weighing 231 lb, Elliss combines size with a 4.58‑second 40‑yard dash to play off‑ball linebacker. He signed as a rookie free agent after going undrafted in 2021 and has progressed from a pure special‑teamer to a starter‑level defender for the Patriots.

2025 Season Breakthrough

In 2025, Elliss posted career‑best numbers, appearing in 19 games with 15 starts. He logged 657 defensive snaps and 213 special‑team snaps, finishing with 94 tackles and just two forced fumbles. His defensive presence extended to 19 quarterback pressures, including one sack and six hits.

The stats also show his versatility: 42 targets were thrown his way, and he gave up 37 catches for 355 yards and a touchdown, while also recording five pass breakups. On special teams he tallied 19 tackles, missing just two attempts. He added a pair of turnovers—two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery—highlighting his impact in high‑stakes games.

The season’s climax came when the Patriots faced the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. Elliss strip‑sacked Jarrett Stidham, setting up a defensive score that helped New England advance to the Super Bowl. He also recovered a fumble in the playoff win over the Chargers and was a regular on three special‑team units.

2026 Outlook

Looking ahead, Elliss is signed through 2026 on a two‑year, $13.5 million deal that carries an $8.56 million cap hit in 2026. The contract includes a $6.75 million base salary, a $1.25 million signing bonus proration, and $555,000 in active roster bonuses. With $3.5 million guaranteed, he remains a roster lock despite the Patriots’ ability to create over $4 million in cap space by cutting him.

On the field, Elliss is slated to be the Patriots’ second linebacker behind Robert Spillane, often aligning as a weak‑side off‑ball defender. While he retains some special‑team responsibilities, his primary focus is as a part‑time starter who contributes in coverage and run defense. His growth has plateaued somewhat at age 27, but his current level of an average starter plus multi‑unit special‑team player is still valuable.

Critics note his limited positional versatility and susceptibility to larger blockers, yet he remains a solid piece of New England’s rebuilding defensive core. If he can stay healthy beyond the two‑game hip issue that sidelined him in November, Elliss is likely to repeat a productive season with solid stats and occasional impact plays. The question for fans is whether he will secure a new long‑term pact after 2026.