New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) runs drills as the Patriots take practice. Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald
New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) runs drills as the Patriots take practice. Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald
FOXBORO — Don’t forget about Christian Elliss.
That was Patriots defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr’s message when a reporter asked him Thursday about some of the team’s “elite blue-chip” players on the defensive side of the ball.
“I think his consistency, and with him, I’d say even last year, starting off the first game, he’d admit to you, it was probably one of his worst games he’s played,” Kuhr said about the starting linebacker. “But his consistency has been his consistent improvement, and whether that be learning multiple roles now, being multiple packages, and yeah, I think he’s just a great example to those younger guys.”
Elliss began his NFL career as a special teams player after going undrafted out of Idaho in 2021. After stints with the Vikings, Eagles and 49ers, he finally found a consistent starting role on defense in 2024 with the Patriots. Over the last two seasons, he’s started 21 of 23 games.
This season, he’s registered 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, six QB hits, a pass breakup and a forced fumble in eight starts. He also has a knack for delivering big hits.
He’s second on the team with 481 defensive snaps behind fellow starting linebacker Robert Spillane, who has three more. He ranks seventh among linebackers with 11 total pressures and 26 defensive stops this season, per PFF.
Elliss is in a contract year. He last signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract extension with the Patriots in 2025. His salary will likely significantly increase after how he’s performed the last two seasons.