Patriots: Linebacker Christian Elliss Is Relishing The Opportunity Of Facing His Brother In The AFC Championship

Christian Elliss will have extra motivation in Sunday’s AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos, as he’ll be facing his younger brother, Jonah Elliss. Christian described the matchup as a blessing for their family, noting that one of them is guaranteed a trip to the Super Bowl. Along with the excitement comes some sibling rivalry, including smack talk and a side bet that the loser will “be reminded forever.”

The Elliss brothers come from a strong football lineage, with their father, Luther Elliss, having played 10 seasons in the NFL, and multiple siblings currently in the league. While Christian has previously played against another brother, Kaden, he has never shared the field with Jonah. That makes this moment especially meaningful to him, as he plans to cherish the experience and even frame his jersey as a lifelong reminder. Christian recalled that one of his favorite football memories was blocking an older brother on special teams, valuing that family moment even more than major career highlights.

Christian believes there’s a good chance he and Jonah will be on the field together, particularly on special teams, where both are regular contributors. He hopes coaches match them up directly, embracing the rare opportunity to compete against his brother at such a high-stakes stage. For Christian, the chance to line up across from Jonah is something special that doesn’t come often—and one he’s genuinely excited to experience.