Veteran linebacker Christian Elliss is in his fifth NFL season and third with the New England Patriots. He’s already played for some great teams in his career, including the 2022 Philadelphia Eagles squad that went to the Super Bowl.
Elliss joined the Patriots in 2023, so he’s experienced the franchise’s recent ups and downs. He’s also played for three different head coaches in New England, suiting up for Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo and Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel has received a lot of credit for turning things around with the Patriots, helping them go from four wins last season to 11 and counting this year. He and all the winning have dramatically improved New England’s team culture, which had become affected by negativity and losing in recent years.
Now, the team culture seems better than ever under Vrabel, who has his players playing hard for each other and legitimately pulling for each other.
“I’ve never been in a locker room like this. These guys are guys that you ride for, that I would lay my life on the line for,” Elliss said recently. “I don’t say this lightly, I’ve never been in a situation where it’s been a collective of guys who are first and foremost unselfish and then secondly, they’re just good people all around.”
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Other Patriots players have said similar things this season, so Elliss isn’t alone. There’s something in the water in Foxborough, and all of the players have bought in.
That camaraderie helps explain why New England is playing so well this season and why the team hasn’t lost since Week 3. The Patriots are willing to go above and beyond for their teammates, getting the most out of each other on and off the field.
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If they keep it up, there’s no telling how far they can go this year.
Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images
