The Saints’ best-kept secret got out, and now he’s out of New Orleans.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss has been poached by the Atlanta Falcons, according to an NFL Network report released Monday. The new three-year deal is worth $21.5 million with $11 million guaranteed.
Elliss became a free agent after a standout 2022 season with the Saints in which he more than tripled his defensive-snap count from the previous three seasons with the team combined. He started a career-high 11 games, played in all 17.
When starter Pete Werner was injured during the Saints’ Week 9 game in November against the Baltimore Ravens, opportunity rose for Elliss to prove himself — and that he did. In the next four games as a defensive starter, Elliss tallied 40 tackles in addition to a forced fumble, pass defended and 2 1/2 sacks.
It was at this point veteran linebacker Demario Davis called Elliss “the best-kept secret in the NFL.”
Even after Werner returned, Elliss remained a factor in the Saints’ defense, keeping a starting role in three of the four final games.
At season’s end, Elliss’ seven sacks total ranked second behind only defensive end Cam Jordan, who broke the franchise record this past season. Elliss’ two forced fumbles tied for second with Jordan, Werner and linebacker Andrew Dowell, who worked solely on special teams. And then Elliss’ 78 tackles checked in fourth, trailing Davis, cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and Werner.
All three of those marks were career highs for Elliss — by far. He otherwise only had a sack and 23 tackles in 31 game appearances. There were no forced fumbles, nor passes defended, which he finished with two.
The Saints drafted Elliss out of Idaho with a seventh-round pick in 2019.
Elliss turns 28 years old in July.
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