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New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss didn’t have quite the rookie he anticipated last season, going down in Week 3 with a torn ACL. He’s been diligently rehabbing his surgically-repaired knee, and took some time to speak with host Chris Rosgovlou on the “Straight-Up Saints” podcast about his experience. Last year’s seventh-round pick out of Idaho also shared his take on the Saints’ replacement for linebackers coach Mike Nolan, who was hired away by the Dallas Cowboys.
Nolan was succeeded by his former assistant, Michael Hodges. And that’s a move that Elliss welcomed, having seen firsthand the work Hodges had put in to earn it. Elliss said, “I’m so excited about Coach Hodges getting that promotion. He’s an amazing guy and has such a hunger and passion to get better everyday. The move [Nolan to Dallas] is what it is — it’s a business. But I’m also very excited where we are. I’m super excited to have Coach Hodges running this room and I know the other guys are too.”
Like teammate Alex Anzalone, who recently announced that he was “Good to go,” following 2019 shoulder surgery, Elliss is eager to get back on the field. While he projects as a backup middle linebacker in 2020 (filling in as Anzalone’s understudy, incidentally), Elliss was also a prominent member of the special teams units during his brief appearances early last season. He also suggested this year’s organized team activities as a potential return date.
Elliss continued, “I’m working down here with the staff and they’re doing an awesome job helping me get better than I’ve ever been. It’s been a goal of mine to be ready for OTAs. We’re still working toward that goal, but we’ve got a little while longer to see how a couple more things go.”
The Saints typically hold OTAs in late May and early June, following weekend-long rookie minicamp practices. This gives them an opportunity to fill out the offseason 90-man roster while auditioning undrafted rookies and veteran free agents. If Elliss is able to suit up, it would give the coaching staff a great barometer of where he’s at as a player post-surgery, and where he might be able to slot in for 2020. With a familiar presence on hand in Hodges, it’s a safe bet that the Saints will do what they can to put Elliss in the best position to succeed.
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