New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced that the club has agreed to terms with free agent linebacker Kaden Elliss. Here are five things to know about the Saints roster addition:
1. Reunited After Three Seasons Apart
The Saints bring former linebacker Kaden Elliss back into the fold after three seasons with the Falcons. Elliss was with the Saints from 2019 to 2022 where he appeared in 48 games with 12 starts, posting 87 tackles (47 solo), eight sacks, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. In 2022, he broke out starting 11 of 17 contests and recording 74 tackles (41 solo), seven sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. His seven sacks ranked second on the team. He played an important role on special teams during his first stint, playing 952 snaps in that phase over his four seasons in New Orleans.
2. Steady Contributor with Falcons
After Elliss departed New Orleans, he took on a starting role with the rival Atlanta Falcons. He started 54 games and put up three straight 100+ tackle campaigns including a career best 151 in 2024. He also continued getting to the quarterback racking up 12.5 sacks with Atlanta. He departed Atlanta having recorded 380 tackles (226 solo), 12 pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
3. Iron Man
Elliss has put together an ironman streak appearing in all 17 games each season for the past four years starting in 2022 in his last season with the Saints before departing for the Falcons.
4. Pass-Rush Specialist
Elliss proved to be one of the most effective pass-rushing off-ball linebackers in the NFL. He tallied 64 total pressures since 2024, 15 more than any other off-ball linebacker according to Next Gen Stats. He also lead off-ball linebackers in quick pressures with 34 and tied for second with 8.5 sacks during that same span.
5. Football Family
Elliss comes from a prominent football family. His father, Luther, played defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos from 1995-2004 where he earned Pro Bowl honors twice. Kaden also has three brothers who have NFL experience - Christian Ellis currently plays linebacker for the New England Patriots, Jonah Ellis plays linebacker for the Broncos, and Noah Elliss has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles as a defensive tackle.
The New Orleans Saints announced that the club has agreed to terms with linebacker Kaden Elliss. Check out Elliss in action with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons during his NFL career.
New Orleans Saints Kaden Elliss (55) tackles Detroit Lions kick returner Jamal Agnew (39) on the opening kickoff at Ford Field, Sunday Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit, Mich.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) in the first half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) reacts after sacking Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew in the first half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) charges during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov.27, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif.
Baltimore Ravens running back Kenyan Drake (17) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in New Orleans.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) pursues a play against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2022.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (15) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sep. 25, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C.
Houston Texans running back Royce Freeman (26) is hit by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) after a catch during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Houston.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is stopped by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Josiah Bronson (91) and linebacker Kaden Elliss in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) reacts to a play during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) hits Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) breaks up a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sep. 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys 27-21.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) is wrapped up by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sep. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 24-10.
