The Patriots are retaining a young linebacker who fits the new Mike Vrabel mold.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots are tendering restricted free agent Christian Elliss at the first-of-first-refusal amount of $3.263 million.
Elliss, 26, came to the Patriots at the tail end of the 2023 season where he was a core special teamer for four games. Last season, however, he took on a bigger role in New England. Elliss finished with a career-high 80 tackles with 1.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, five passes defended, and an interception.
Elliss is also a core special teamer.