FOXBORO — The new Patriots’ regime clearly values different traits out of linebackers.

That was evident when the team matched the Raiders’ two-year, $13.508 million offer sheet for linebacker Christian Elliss and then turned around and released former captain Ja’Whaun Bentley.

Elliss and new additions Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens make up for what they lack in size with speed and athleticism.

Elliss spent the first two years of his career as a fringe roster player before finding his footing on special teams. He played a career high in defensive snaps last season, starting four games and registering 80 tackles and five pass breakups. It was enough to convince new head coach Mike Vrabel that he would like to keep Elliss around.

“I think my skill set fits perfectly within the defense,” Elliss said Thursday. “It fits perfectly within the scheme. You know, there’s some stuff I haven’t done before, and they’re teaching me how to do it. So I’m excited to try these new things that they’re showing me, you know, the Tennessee style. So I’m excited about it.”

Elliss is 6-foot-2, 231 pounds. He ran a 4.58-second 40-yard dash coming out of Idaho in 2021.

The Patriots also kept linebackers Monty Rice and Jahlani Tavai from last year’s linebacker corps. Rice actually was selected by Vrabel in 2021 to the Titans. It remains to be seen what role Tavai, who fit Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo’s defenses, plays under Vrabel.

Elliss, who has been cut six times throughout his NFL career, cried tears of joy when the Raiders offered him the two-year contract. When the Patriots matched the deal, “it was nothing but excitement, nothing but joy.”