Patriots reportedly retain LB Christian Elliss, matching Raiders' RFA offer sheet

Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald on Mar 24, 2025

Published in Football

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BOSTON — The New England Patriots are retaining linebacker Christian Elliss on a two-year contract, according to reports.

A restricted free agent, Elliss visited Las Vegas last week and received an offer sheet the Patriots matched before Monday’s deadline.

Ellis set several career highs last season, posting 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception. He started five of 16 game appearances after coming off the bench to start the year. The 26-year-old projects as a better fit in Mike Vrabel’s new defense, which will require smaller, faster linebackers in Elliss’ mold.

Ellis will compete for snaps alongside free-agent additions Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens — two ex-Titans who played under Vrabel in Tennessee — and longtime Patriots Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai. The 6-foot-2 and 231-pounder flashed plus athleticism last year, but struggled with play recognition at times on defense. He’s also a core special teamer.

The Patriots originally acquired Elliss by claiming him off waivers from the Eagles late in the 2023 regular season. He appeared in four games and finished with two total tackles. Elliss entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Idaho in 2021, signing with the Minnesota Vikings who waived him that summer before he latched on with Philadelphia.

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