The New Orleans Saints have been one of the most active teams during the legal tampering period ahead of free agency, and that continued on Tuesday, when the team agreed on a deal with veteran linebacker Kaden Elliss. New Orleans is reportedly adding Elliss on a three-year deal worth $33 million, identifying him as an important piece for the team’s defense.
This free agency acquisition is also a reunion, as Elliss was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent his first four seasons in New Orleans, before leaving for the Atlanta Falcons, who he played the last three seasons with. Now, the linebacker is staying in the NFC South, and returning to the place where it started for him in the league.
Saints agree to a three-year deal with linebacker Kaden Elliss
Elliss first became a full-time starter during his last season in New Orleans in 2022, and that helped him secure his job with the Falcons, where he started every game for them the last three seasons as an off-ball linebacker. In his first season in Atlanta, Elliss put together a season that was more productive than his four years with the Saints, combined, recording 122 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, and four sacks.
He took things to another level a year later in 2024, racking up 151 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, five sacks, and one interception. Those numbers dipped this past season to 107 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, and another interception, but it was clear Elliss was still a quality linebacker for a good Falcons defense.
The linebacker is now bringing all of the skills he developed in Atlanta back to the team that drafted him in New Orleans. Elliss arrives at the start of a new era, with head coach Kellen Moore entering year two with the team. In year one, the Saints battled to a 6-11 record, but they entered the offseason with a lot of optimism after winning five of its last eight games. New Orleans will try to start the 2026 season with that momentum, and catapult the franchise back to contender status.