Jonah Elliss

Career StatsC-

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		30	66	7.5	—
2025		13	28	2.5	0
2024		17	38	5.0	0

Updated Jun 19, 2026

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Spotrac flags Jonah Elliss's contract as a market-rate deal; FanVerdicts grades it C Contract Value Index because the production-to-pay ratio shakes out accordingly. At $1.47M AAV on a four-year rookie scale deal, Elliss is getting paid appropriately for a third-round pick in his second NFL season, but his 2025 performance—28 tackles and 2.5 sacks across 13 games—represents a notable step backward from his rookie foundation and falls short of the impact trajectory you'd want from an edge rusher at this stage. The position market for young pass rushers trends toward demonstrable year-two leaps; Elliss's decline in sack production signals either durability concerns or scheme/usage issues that muddy his long-term value proposition. At 23 years old with two seasons in the books, he's in the critical phase where second-year regressions often define a player's true ceiling, and the concerning media narrative—including explicit suggestions that a "change of scenery" would benefit him—indicates organizational skepticism that extends beyond the stat sheet. The CVI grade reflects the reality that his current compensation aligns with his current output, but without a sharp rebound in 2026, this deal could quickly tip from market-rate to an albatross, especially given the recurring injury flags that question his durability in a position group where availability is non-negotiable.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Jonah's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Jonah Elliss is a 23-year-old second-year linebacker for Denver still searching for consistency in a developmental role. Through 30 career games, the young defender has flashed adequate instincts but hasn't yet established himself as a reliable starter at the position. His current season grade of D+ represents a notable decline from last year's C-, signaling a trajectory that demands immediate improvement. Elliss's tackle production sits at 2.15 per game, nearly matching the NFL average of 2.19, which represents solid baseline coverage. His pass-rush metrics are actually encouraging—0.19 sacks per game outpace the league average of 0.15, suggesting developing pass-rush instincts. The concerning trend emerges in pass defense coverage, where his 0.08 passes defensed per game falls well below the 0.18 NFL benchmark, indicating vulnerability in space and coverage recognition that must sharpen. The regression from 2024 to 2025 raises questions about whether Elliss can sustain even his modest baseline production as competition intensifies. At 23 with only two seasons of experience, he retains considerable upside, but the downward trend is troubling. Denver's linebacker room changes and Elliss's role definition will be crucial indicators heading into 2026—continued decline would suggest a career reserve, while stabilization could unlock a competent depth piece.

How Jonah Compares at the Position

Jonah Elliss ranks 191st of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Jonah between Nic Scourton (C-) just ahead and Julian Okwara (C-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Jonah Elliss enters 2026 as a depth linebacker competing for meaningful snaps in Denver's defensive scheme, a narrative that media has framed as an 'important season' and genuine opportunity rather than a lock. The headlines reflect cautious optimism—coverage centers on his chance to win a starting role and Sean Payton's clarifications about his role, suggesting the coaching staff sees developmental potential. The novelty of his brother Christian potentially facing him in the AFC Championship adds human-interest appeal and indicates the Broncos view him as part of their competitive future. However, his modest career production (7.5 sacks in two years) and low contract value ($1.5M) keep him firmly in the role-player category, where perception is heavily dependent on on-field performance rather than established reputation. Media sentiment is neither dismissive nor celebratory—Elliss is being treated as a young defender with a real audition ahead, which is appropriate for a backup linebacker entering his third season.