Kaden Elliss Bio
Kaden Elliss (born July 10, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). The son of former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Luther Elliss, he played college football for the Idaho Vandals. Elliss has three younger brothers, Christian, Noah, and Jonah, who also play professional football.
A seventh-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2019 NFL Draft, Elliss worked his way from a depth linebacker into a reliable rotational defender. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 240 pounds, he is known for his physicality against the run and his steady role on special teams coverage units.
Early Life and Background
Kaden Elliss was born on July 10, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and raised in the same city. He is one of 12 children of Luther Elliss, a former Detroit Lions defensive tackle, and Rebecca Elliss. Growing up in a large athletic family, he was surrounded by football from a young age and learned the demands of the sport at home.
Elliss attended Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City, where he developed as a linebacker and earned attention as a hard-hitting prospect. His Samoan heritage and the example set by his father, who spent nine seasons in the NFL, helped shape his early approach to the game.
Off the field, Elliss has spoken openly about his Christian faith. He has said that his belief is the most important part of his life and credits it for guiding him through both football and personal challenges. That foundation has remained a steady part of his identity as he moved through college and into the professional ranks.
Path to American Football
Following high school, Elliss committed to the University of Idaho, where he played for the Idaho Vandals. He worked his way into a starting role at linebacker and became one of the more consistent tacklers in the Sun Belt Conference during his college career.
His performance in Moscow was recognized when he earned Second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2017. That season helped raise his profile among NFL scouts and set the stage for his decision to enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
Elliss used the predraft process to show teams his instincts, tackling ability, and special teams value. His combination of size, bloodlines, and production at Idaho convinced the New Orleans Saints to select him in the seventh round, with the 244th overall pick, beginning his professional journey.
Kaden Elliss Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
The New Orleans Saints selected Elliss in the seventh round (244th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, making him the 30th linebacker taken that year. On May 10, 2019, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth about $2.59 million, including a signing bonus of $76,316.
Elliss entered training camp competing for a backup role behind starting middle linebacker Alex Anzalone. Head coach Sean Payton listed him as the primary backup at the position to open the season. His first year was cut short when a knee injury sent him to injured reserve on September 25, 2019.
In 2020, Elliss was briefly placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in August before being activated the following day. He continued to contribute on special teams and as a rotational defender through the 2021 and 2022 seasons in New Orleans, building a reputation as a reliable piece of the Saints’ depth chart.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–Present)
On March 13, 2023, the Atlanta Falcons signed Elliss to a three-year, $21.50 million contract that included $10.16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $5.25 million. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to take on a larger defensive role after four seasons in New Orleans.
With the Falcons, Elliss stepped into a starting role at linebacker and became a regular presence in Atlanta’s defensive game plans. His run-stopping strength and comfort in coverage made him a fit for new defensive schemes, and he quickly became a key voice in the linebacker room.
Heading into the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Elliss remains under contract through 2026 with Atlanta. He continues to be viewed as a core contributor on defense and special teams as the Falcons build their roster around younger talent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Elliss is recognized for his downhill playing style, quick read on running plays, and willingness to take on blocks at the point of attack. His football upbringing, including lessons from his father Luther Elliss, shows in his physical approach at the line of scrimmage and in his consistency on special teams coverage units.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Elliss’s career highlights are his 2019 draft selection by the Saints, his 2017 Second-team All-Sun Belt recognition at Idaho, and his 2023 free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Joining Atlanta reunited him with a defensive staff eager to use his run-defense skills and his special teams experience.
Kaden Elliss Career Wins
As a linebacker, Elliss measures success through individual statistics, team victories, and on-field impact rather than headline award trophies. His career arc includes steady development with the New Orleans Saints and a featured role with the Atlanta Falcons.
NFL Highlights
Elliss has logged multiple seasons of regular defensive snaps in the NFL since debuting in 2019. His work on special teams coverage and as a run-stopping linebacker has been central to his value with both the Saints and the Falcons. A signature moment came on March 13, 2023, when he signed his three-year, $21.50 million deal with Atlanta, marking his arrival as a full-time starter.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Elliss posted strong tackle totals for the Idaho Vandals and earned Second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2017, a season that helped him earn his opportunity in the NFL. He also brings the distinction of being part of one of football’s most prominent family lineages.
Kaden Elliss Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Elliss comes from one of the most recognized football families in the country. His father, Luther Elliss, played defensive tackle in the NFL for nine seasons, most notably with the Detroit Lions, and set a standard of toughness that shaped his son’s career path.
Personal Life
Kaden is one of 12 children raised by Luther and Rebecca Elliss, and his siblings include brothers Christian, Noah, and Jonah Elliss, all of whom have played football at the college or professional level. His brothers Noah and Christian also played at Idaho, while younger brother Jonah played at the University of Utah and has been associated with the Denver Broncos. A Christian, Elliss has consistently spoken about how his faith guides his life and his approach to the game.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Kaden Elliss remains under contract with the Atlanta Falcons through 2026 and is expected to play a significant role at linebacker. The Falcons continue to lean on his run-defense strength and special teams value as they shape their defensive identity.
His veteran presence alongside younger defensive teammates has been an important part of Atlanta’s locker room. Coaches have pointed to his communication, tackling consistency, and professional habits as steady influences on the unit. With multiple seasons of starting experience now behind him, Elliss enters 2025 as one of the more dependable pieces of the Falcons’ defense.
Looking ahead, Elliss’s outlook in 2025 centers on continuing his production as a tackling linebacker and helping Atlanta compete in a competitive NFC South. If he stays healthy and maintains his current form, he is positioned to remain a key contributor for the Falcons for the foreseeable future.