In a surprising turn of events, linebacker Christian Elliss has officially joined the New England Patriots after being waived by the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday. Despite speculation that Elliss might return to Philly’s practice squad, the Patriots claimed him with the second-highest priority in the claiming order, reflecting the current 2024 NFL Draft order.

The Eagles made the decision to cut Elliss to open up a roster spot for the acquisition of free agent linebacker Shaq Leonard. While Elliss faced challenges on the defensive front, he had become a valuable asset to the Eagles’ special teams unit, ranking No. 2 in the NFL according to FTN Fantasy’s DVOA metric. Notably, Elliss led the team in special teams snaps, showcasing his impact on this crucial aspect of the game.

Christian Elliss initially joined the Eagles’ practice squad during the 2021 season. His promotion to the active roster in 2022 was in response to the team’s struggles on special teams. The move seemed promising, and Elliss, standing out in some OTA practices, hinted at the potential for an unexpected breakout in the 2023 season.

However, despite his contributions to special teams, Elliss faced challenges in securing a solid starting position. The coaching staff’s apparent lack of trust in him for defensive snaps led to his departure from the Eagles. Now, as the soon-to-be 25-year-old linebacker dons the Patriots’ jersey, it remains to be seen if he can establish a more prominent role and lasting presence in New England.

The move to the Patriots presents a fresh opportunity for Christian Elliss, and fans on both sides will be watching closely to see how he adapts to his new team’s dynamics. As the NFL offseason progresses, the story of Elliss’s journey from Philadelphia to New England adds another layer of intrigue to the league’s ever-evolving narrative.