Saints reunite with former linebacker who played for New Orleans from 2019 to 2022

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced that the club has agreed to terms with free agent linebackerKaden Elliss. Here are five things to know about the Saints roster addition:

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.

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.

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.

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 toNext 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.

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.

New Orleans Saints