Securing Kaden Elliss in free agency was a massive win for the New Orleans Saints. Simultaneously, it was also a massive loss for the Atlanta Falcons. Any loss for the Falcons is typically a win for the Saints, so in this case, signing Elliss is a double win for the Saints.
For Elliss, it's a return to the city and team that drafted him and where he spent the first four years of his professional career. Even in 2022, he seemed like a player they shouldn't have let go due to his breakout year. However, the Saints just didn't see enough to fork out some cash. He proved as much elsewhere though, gathering an average of 126 tackles, four sacks, and nearly an interception a season in his three years with the rival Falcons.
This time around, the Saints are confident that Elliss is a player to spend some decent money on. The deal is expected to be three years in length with $33 million earned. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the max value is nearly $39 million with $23 million guaranteed.
Saints-Kaden Elliss reunion snatches a defensive Swiss Army Knife away from the Falcons
Falcons fans are sure to be upset at the loss. Elliss was a team captain on top of his play on the field and became one of the faces of their defense. There's also no way that they're alone in that belief, either.
Last month, Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich had a nearly two-minute-long response when asked about the linebacker. "The player that he is also gave us this really unique flexibility. To think a guy could play world-class line of scrimmage play, but at the same time you could stack him behind the ball and he could play world-class stack linebacker, I mean that is rare." Ulbrich said to the media.
The boldest comment by Ulbrich was, "to replace Kaden would take more than one human being." With Elliss back in New Orleans, the staff in Atlanta will now have to figure out who those human beings might be. There's no sugarcoating it. A player with that much value is going to leave a massive hole on a defense.
It's important to remember everything the Falcons just loss was gained by the Saints. That player that's like multiple players in one is now on the Saints. The flexibility Elliss gave Ulbrich is now Brandon Staley's to maximize. With just one move in free agency, the Saints have done more than bolster their defense. They've also done legitimate damage to their division rival.