New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has presided over an impressive single-season turnaround that ranks among the greatest in NFL history, taking a squad that posted a 4-13 record in 2024 to a 14-3 mark on the way to a Super Bowl LX berth this year.
It’s a return to championship-contending form for the franchise, which Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss attributes to the “culture” that Vrabel has instilled in the team.
Patriots LB Christian Elliss: "No one expected us to be here. No one gave us the benefit of the doubt but kudos to Vrabel. He came in and he gave us a culture we believe in."
— Alexandra Francisco (@ByAlFrancisco) January 26, 2026
Christian Elliss is having one of the best seasons of his career under Mike Vrabel
After having a strong breakout campaign a season ago, Elliss, a former undrafted free agent who saw most of his early career playing time on special teams, has continued to build on that success with Vrabel’s coaching this year.
The Idaho product has recorded career bests in tackles (94) and defensive snap count percentage (57%), while putting up his second-highest marks in pass deflections (three), quarterback hits (three), stuffs (three), and Pro Football Focus rating (61.4).
During New England’s postseason run, Elliss has registered the team’s second-most tackles (16), tackles for loss (tied with two), and quarterback hits (tied with two), to go along with a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a pair of pass deflections.
He was also a key part of a pivotal momentum swing during the AFC Championship Game, applying the pressure on Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham that forced a backwards pass, which the Patriots recovered, and then went on to score their only touchdown of the contest a few plays later.
Vrabel came to his linebacker’s defense earlier in the season
Following a Week 13 matchup against the New York Giants, Elliss faced intense criticism from the opposing team’s fans who took issue with his big hits on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and return specialist Gunner Olszewski during the Patriots' 33-15 victory.
However, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, Vrabel was quick to stand by his player, refuting allegations that Elliss had any dirty intent during those plays and praising what the fifth-year linebacker brings to the team both on and off the field.
"There’s nothing illegal about anything that he did. There’s nothing dirty. It’s him playing football. Whether it’s covering kicks, and he takes a lot of pride in that unit, and also on defense. He’s a great teammate. His teammates care deeply about him.
He cares about this football team. He’s got great relationships throughout the building with his coaches and obviously with his teammates. That’s another special group, the linebacker group. Christian got us going."
Elliss could be X-factor for Patriots in the Super Bowl
The performance of Elliss during Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks may be a bigger factor than usual in whether New England’s defense is successful in the big game, depending on the availability of fellow linebacker Robert Spillane.
Spillane went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter of the AFC Championship and, while he did return to the team’s sidelines, ultimately did not get back in the game. It’s the same ailment that kept the squad’s regular season tackles leader out of action from Week 15 until the playoffs began.
Should Spillane be unable to suit up for the Super Bowl, the Patriots will likely need major contributions from Elliss (and another member of their linebacker core, Jack Gibbens) in order to take home the Lombardi Trophy.