The Falcons are about to see Kaden Elliss from the other sideline, and that’s exactly the kind of move that can linger.
Elliss is back with the New Orleans Saints on a three-year, $33 million deal, a return that hurts Atlanta even more because of where he landed. New Orleans lost 37-year-old Demario Davis in free agency and answered by bringing back a player it already knew well.
That familiarity matters. Elliss spent his first four seasons with the Saints before heading to Atlanta when they hired Ryan Nielsen as defensive coordinator, though that run under Nielsen didn’t last long. Now he’s back in a place that already understands what he brings, and he’ll be leading a defense that the Falcons will see twice every season.
That’s a problem for Atlanta because Elliss is exactly the kind of linebacker teams don’t just stumble into anymore. He’s undersized, but he plays with instinct and intelligence, and he can impact a game as a pass-rusher, a tackler, and in coverage. Those traits made him one of the most valuable pieces on the Falcons’ defense.
Atlanta is already dealing with the fallout from losing several starting defenders in 2025, but Elliss was the biggest loss of the bunch. He wore the green dot last season, led the team in tackles, and finished second in tackles for loss.
Replacing that kind of production is one thing. Replacing the command and consistency that came with it is another.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has made it clear that filling the gap left by Elliss will take more than one player. Atlanta doesn’t have many linebackers with his blend of traits, either. Ulbrich leans toward more athletic options like Deablo or Kendal Daniels, but Elliss’ football IQ is the part you can’t coach into someone.
The Saints, meanwhile, won’t need much of a crash course. Elliss already knows the defense Brandon Staley wants to run, and that should make the transition smoother. New Orleans is also drawing buzz as a possible dark horse in the NFC South in 2026.
For Atlanta, the frustration goes beyond the contract or the destination. Elliss never missed a game in three seasons with the Falcons, became one of the most respected voices on the defense, and was named a first-time captain last season. That leaves a major opening for Deablo, with Christian Harris likely stepping in as the other starting linebacker.
Deablo may still be on the rise, but Atlanta saw how dangerous the pairing with Elliss could be. The Falcons had one of the league’s better linebacker tandems, and now they’ll have to watch their former leader line up for a division rival. Just like with Nate Landman last year, that’s the kind of departure that can make a team wonder if it should have fought harder to keep him.
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