Christian Elliss will not be a Raider in 2025.
According to NFL Media, The New England Patriots matched Elliss’ restricted free-agent offer sheet he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday by the deadline, thus blocking him from joining the Silver and Black. The Patriots wouldn’t have received any compensation if they didn’t match because they tendered Elliss to the lowest tender.
They easily fit Elliss in. According to Over The Cap, they have a league-high $81 million remaining in salary-cap room.
Las Vegas hosted Elliss on a free-agent visit Monday, two days before signing him to the offer sheet.
Elliss, 26, spent the past two seasons in New England. The Idaho product was also with Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. He was also on the practice squad or in training camp with the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers.
Elliss, one of four sons of former NFL player Luther Elliss to play in the league, has played in 39 NFL games and has seven career starts. Five of those starts came with the Patriots in 2024.
The Raiders saw starting linebackers Robert Spillane (New England) and Divine Deablo (Atlanta Falcons) leave in free agency. They did sign former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts to take Spillane’s place and are still looking for depth at the position.
Elliss would have competed to start and would also likely be a core special teamer in Las Vegas. Expect the Raiders to continue to look at free-agent options and they could draft at the position in the early rounds.