Players under contract for 2026:
Divine Deablo
JD Bertrand
Malik Verdon
2026 Free agents:
Kaden Elliss
Troy Andersen
Ronnie Harrison
Josh Woods
Biggest question facing the position group in 2026:
Will the Falcons make a push to keep Elliss?
Deablo was certainly a highlight for the inside linebackers last season. However, so was his fellow starter, Elliss. While Deablo was the new face, Elliss was the reliable returner in Atlanta after his breakout season in 2024.
Since Elliss joined the Falcons as a free agent in 2023, he has started every single game. With each season, he was tasked with more responsibility on and off the field. He was a first-time captain last year, with coaches and teammates alike often praising his leadership. They also consistently highlighted his versatility, as evidenced by his 3.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, six pass breakups and one interception in 2025. He is loved in Atlanta as a person and player.
Elliss’ three-year deal with the Falcons is set to expire, which means he’ll hit the free-agency market come March 11 when the new league year begins. The Falcons had something special in the Deablo-Elliss combo. It shouldn’t be a matter of if they’d like to run it back, but whether they can swing it financially.