FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Before his third season with the Atlanta Falcons, inside linebacker Kaden Elliss was voted a team captain by his teammates for the first time in his seven-year career.
Since then, Elliss has been a leader for the Falcons on and off the field. He was nominated for the 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which recognizes his character. Now, he has the opportunity to be recognized for his athleticism.
Voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games has begun. Let's take a closer look at why Elliss deserves a vote.
Where he ranks
Compared to other NFC linebackers, Elliss is tied for seventh with nine tackles for loss. He is ranked 10th with 49 solo tackles and 14th with 88 total tackles.
Elliss is one of just four players across the NFL to lead his team in total tackles and tackles for loss.
Standout stat
Elliss is one of two NFL players this season with at least 85 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. He is the only player in the NFC with that stat line.
Best game in 2025
It would have to be either the Falcons' Week 7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers or their Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Against the 49ers, Elliss caught his second career interception and first of the season. He picked off 49ers quarterback Mac Jones on a second-and-8 play in the second quarter, when San Francisco was at the Atlanta's 23-yard line. At that point, the Falcons were leading 3-0.
The very next week, against the Dolphins, Elliss recorded a season-high 12 tackles. He led both teams with that mark.
Quote from locker room
"Everything that he does every single week is very impressive. As a running back, I go against him every single day, so I know what he's capable of and what he puts out on Sundays. He's just so overlooked, but I think he's definitely a top linebacker in the league. He has the right attitude, right mindset. That's my dog, man. I petition for him to be a linebacker in the Pro Bowl for the NFC." — Falcons running back Bijan Robinson
How to vote now
Fans can cast a vote for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games on AtlantaFalcons.com, NFL.com or on X by using #ProBowlVote and the name of the player. Fan voting will close at midnight on Dec. 16, and rosters will be revealed in early January. On the final two days of the voting period — Dec. 14 and 15 — all votes cast on X will count double toward a player's total.
