Patriots' $13.5 million playmaker named teams 'best kept secret'

The New England Patriots' 2025 season should be very different from 2024 due to the addition of head coach Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel is one of the best defensive-minded head coaches in the NFL and should get the team playing tough football again, as they did for two decades under former head coach Bill Belichick.

Vrabel likes players who fly under the radar, and Matt Holder from Bleacher Report thinks linebacker Christian Elliss is the team's "best kept secret."

"The Elliss family has deep roots in the NFL. Christian’s father, Luther, is a former first-round pick and two-time Pro Bowler for the Lions. Also, his brothers, Kaden and Jonah, currently play for the Falcons and Broncos, respectively," Holder wrote. "Christian’s professional career got off to a bumpy start, getting cut or waived by the Vikings, Eagles and 49ers before landing with the Patriots. But he proved to be a well-rounded linebacker in New England last season, posting 80 total tackles, five passes defended and five QB hits (1.5 sacks) in 16 games with just five starts."

The Patriots signed Elliss to a two-year, $13.5 million deal this offseason to match the Las Vegas Raiders' contract offer.

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New England is high on Elliss since they wouldn't let him walk this offseason, and hopefully, he can make some big plays for the defense.

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