FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots defense was playing well and stifling Drake Maye’s passing attack. That’s when the quarterback hit rookie receiver Kyle Williams over the middle of the field.
At that moment, Christian Elliss showed everyone why he was on the field, sprinting to the player and quickly punching the ball out of Williams’ arms.
An undrafted free agent who was cut six times by three teams early in his NFL career, Elliss is now in a position to be the starting linebacker in Mike Vrabel’s defense.
“It’s been a blessing. God has blessed me,” Elliss said after Wednesday’s practice. “I cannot complain. It’s been a lot of fun. I can’t be more grateful.”
In Vrabel’s attacking-style defense, he utilizes smaller and more athletic linebackers. At 6-foot-2, 231 pounds, Elliss fits that mold – and it’s one reason why the Patriots matched a two-year, $13.5 million offer sheet this offseason to keep him in New England.
After being released by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, the Patriots signed Elliss to their 53-man roster. He appeared in four games, mainly contributing as a core special teamer.
Last season, Elliss had a career year, making 80 tackles to go with 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits. That was in Jerod Mayo’s defense, which was the same as Bill Belichick’s. In that scheme, the Patriots relied on bigger linebackers.
That’s changed under Vrabel and was seen on Wednesday as Elliss played next to Robert Spillane (6-foot-1, 221 pounds). One of the Patriots’ top free-agent signings, the veteran linebacker made 158 tackles last season in Las Vegas.
An undrafted free agent, Spillane has a similar story to Elliss. That’s why the two players have grown close this offseason.
“Spills is a lot of fun. He is so wise. He is funny. He’s intense and he’s my guy,” Elliss said. “Yeah, we have a lot of similarities. We both have fun when we’re out there together.”
If all goes well, both will play a big role for Vrabel and the Patriots defense this season.