While Kyle Pitts’ looming free agency is grabbing most of the headlines in Atlanta, there’s another name the Falcons should be circling in bold: Kaden Elliss. He may not be the flashiest player on the roster, but make no mistake-Elliss has been the engine of this Falcons defense, and he’s quietly built a case as one of the most underrated linebackers in the league.
Let’s start with the numbers: 107 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and six passes defensed. That’s not just production-it’s versatility.
Whether he’s dropping into coverage or shooting gaps to disrupt plays in the backfield, Elliss has emerged as a true Swiss Army knife in Jeff Ulbrich’s scheme. He’s not perfect-run defense has been a weak spot-but his ability to impact the game in multiple ways has made him indispensable.
And yet, despite how valuable he’s been, Elliss is heading into free agency with relatively little buzz. That won’t last.
Teams around the league are always on the hunt for athletic, multi-dimensional linebackers, and Elliss checks a lot of boxes. If the Falcons want to keep building a defense with staying power, locking him up should be a priority.
But if Elliss walks? Atlanta may already have a contingency plan in mind-and it’s a familiar name.
Tremaine Edmunds could become available if the Bears decide to make some cap-saving moves. Edmunds, a two-time Pro Bowler, has posted over 100 tackles in each of his eight NFL seasons.
His instincts and range make him a magnet for the football, and this past season, he added a career-high four interceptions to his résumé. That kind of playmaking ability doesn’t hit the open market often.
From a scheme fit standpoint, there’s reason to believe Edmunds could slide right into Ulbrich’s defense. His athleticism and coverage chops make him a strong match, and there’s already a connection in place: Falcons GM Ian Cunningham worked alongside Edmunds in Chicago over the past three seasons. That familiarity could be a key factor if Atlanta decides to pivot.
Now, T.J. Edwards is another linebacker with ties to Cunningham, but he’s on a more affordable deal and is expected to stick in Chicago.
Edmunds, on the other hand, carries a hefty $17.44 million price tag in 2026-and the Bears have an out in the contract that would allow them to move on with minimal dead cap. It’s not a lock, but it’s certainly a situation worth monitoring.
From a performance standpoint, Edmunds brings a slightly different skill set than Elliss. According to Pro Football Focus, his 81.3 run defense grade ranked 15th out of 83 qualified linebackers this past season.
That’s a major plus for a Falcons defense that’s had its share of struggles stopping the run. While he’s not as effective as Elliss when it comes to pressuring the quarterback, pairing Edmunds with Divine Deablo could give Atlanta one of the most athletic linebacker duos in the league-and that athleticism could go a long way toward patching up some of the defense’s soft spots.
Financially, the decision could come down to value. Spotrac pegs Elliss’ market value at around three years, $27 million-a modest bump from the $21.5 million deal he signed when he followed Ryan Nielsen to Atlanta. Edmunds would likely command more, but if Elliss walks, the Falcons may be willing to open the checkbook for a player Cunningham already knows and trusts.
Bottom line: Kaden Elliss may not be the name lighting up social media, but he’s been the glue of this Falcons defense. If Atlanta is serious about building continuity on that side of the ball, keeping him in the fold should be a top priority.
But if they can’t? Tremaine Edmunds could be waiting in the wings as a high-upside replacement.
Either way, the linebacker position is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal decisions of the Falcons’ offseason.