Kaden Elliss, Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons LB Kaden Ellis.
The Atlanta Falcons now have a new set of decision-makers in the building, starting with general manager Ian Cunningham.
Cunningham, along with new head coach Kevin Stefanski, made the media rounds on February 24 at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Cunningham was prodded on a myriad of topics, including the quarterback situation, James Pearce Jr.’s status and potential free agents.
One thing he clarified was that the team plans to franchise tag tight end Kyle Pitts. However, he was far less transparent when asked about linebacker Kaden Elliss.
“He’s a guy that we’re obviously evaluating, and I think there’s a lot of linebackers in this market. We’ve got to really look at our cap situation and our roster moving forward,” Cunningham said, per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi.
Cunningham’s non-committal response is just that — but it may not bode well for a return to Atlanta for the 30-year-old defender.
That leaves the Falcons with another potential hole on their defensive front, especially if Pearce is unable to return due to his legal issues.
That said, Cunningham — who has developed a reputation for creative roster maneuvering — may already have Elliss’ replacement in mind.
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Falcons Could Make a Trade With The Bears
On February 25, the Chicago Bears granted linebacker Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade, according to ESPN.
Why is that important? Because Cunningham has a direct connection to Edmunds. He served as the Bears’ assistant general manager for the last four years — the same stretch Edmunds has been in Chicago.
“Now I understand the pause on Kaden Elliss. Ian Cunningham might be all over this,” X user Rise Up Ryan said.
It wouldn’t be shocking. The bigger question is what the Falcons could realistically offer, especially with only five draft picks in this year’s draft.
Edmunds is entering the final year of the four-year, $72 million deal he signed with the Bears in 2023. He carries a base salary of $13.9 million this season, plus a $1 million roster bonus, with a total cap hit of $17.9 million.
The 27-year-old is a former first-round pick (No. 16 overall in 2018). He earned back-to-back Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and 2020 with the Buffalo Bills. In 2025, he matched his career high with four interceptions.
Kaden Elliss Could Be Pricing Himself Out of Atlanta
The potential issue with re-signing Elliss is simple: money.
After being largely under the radar prior to his final season with the New Orleans Saints, Elliss carved out a significant role in Atlanta. He started all 17 games in 2025, totaling 3.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, six pass deflections and a forced fumble.
Elliss signed a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Falcons in 2023 and is now set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Spotrac projects Elliss to command roughly $9 million annually, estimating a three-year, $26.9 million contract.
If Atlanta can work out a sensible trade with Chicago, the argument could be made that Edmunds makes more long-term sense. He’s younger, more accomplished and would already be familiar with Cunningham’s evaluation process — not to mention potentially fitting cleanly into Jeff Ulbrich’s defensive system.