New England Patriots
Ponder may not have had many believers last year, but Sunday’s performance is a sign that things might be changing.
-
12 takeaways from the Patriots’ blowout win over the Raiders
-
Patriots honor 2001 team, Adam Vinatieri as part of nostalgia-filled day in Foxborough
FOXBOROUGH – The step that steered Elijah Ponder toward his two sack performance in the Patriots’ 45-17 win over the Raiders on Sunday showcased several of the traits that went overlooked during the pre-draft process in 2025.
Las Vegas quarterback Kirk Cousins took a short drop with his eyes up field, stepping up into the pocket as Milton Williams was charging toward him.
Ponder used his speed to get a step past Kolton Miller on an outside rush, then planted his right foot in the turf and slid back to the inside of the pocket like he was doing a cone drill.
By then, Cousins had his back turned to Ponder and it was too late to make a move. The second-year linebacker slammed into the quarterback for the first of two sacks.
“Ponder is just continuing to prove that he’s a dominant force on that edge,” linebacker Robert Spillane said. “As an undrafted guy last year, he just continues to grow and show his abilities and capabilities. I think he did a great job rushing the passer.”
“We knew we were going to have to stop the run early and force must-throw situations and then get after the passer when we were rushing,” added Spillane. “I thought we did a great job of that today.”
Through five games, Ponder has already surpassed his sack total from last season. He leads the team with 4.5 this season. He can’t be called a draft steal because every single team passed on him last year. The Patriots gave the 6-foot-3, 261-pound linebacker out of FCS-level Cal Poly a shot as an undrafted free agent. Ponder took it and ran with it, determined to show his coaches they made the right choice.
“I’m grateful for all the opportunities I have now and I had last year,” Ponder said. “I’m just trying to keep building off of that and make it worthwhile. He gave me those opportunities and I just want to pay it back, pay it forward.
The Patriots came into the season young and unproven at outside linebacker. With last year’s sack leader Harold Landry out and K’Lavon Chaisson having signed with the Commanders, the Patriots’ ability to generate pressure off the edge was a major question mark throughout the summer.
Ponder and Gabe Jacas have been coming along, providing that group with an injection of youthful energy. Ponder, as both Williams and safety Kevin Byard put it, has been “balling” during this early stretch of the season.
“He’s a guy that is kind of quiet, doesn’t talk too much, just goes to work,” Byard said. “To see an undrafted guy like him take advantage of his opportunities — I know maybe coming into the season that group wasn’t looked at to say — oh we don’t have strong group, Harold [Landry] is not back yet, but those guys — him, Dre’Mont, Gabe [Jacas], they’ve been playing lights out for us.”
Ponder may not have had many believers early on, but he certainly had one in his position coach, Mike Smith. Back in August of 2025, Smith told reporters how “fired up” he was to see Ponder play.
“Watching him come out — he was a guy that nobody was looking at,” Smith said at the time. “But, if you look at his athletic ability, he’s off the charts. He’s a big rusher. He moves great in space. He’s not scared to go put his face right down the middle. He’s got this very rare ability of picking up things quick and looks like he’s done it from Day 1.”
“It’s remarkable, that kid. That kid is another one that has an extremely bright future,” Smith continued. “Probably one of the best free agent pickups I’ve ever seen. I’ll go and throw that out there. He’s got a ways to go though, don’t get that twisted, but his movement ability and his knowledge — how smart he is and picks up things is remarkable.”
Those words came during training camp in 2025, when contact is limited and it can be tough to get a precise read on exactly how much progress players in the front seven are making.
Ponder may be a surprise to some, but Williams has seen the young linebacker’s work ethic up close.
“I’m not surprised at what he’s doing,” Williams said. “He comes in with the same mindset every day, just working. In practice, he’s working, going the extra mile, taking care of his body.”
“When we rush you see he’s out there doing what he’s supposed to do and he’s making the most of his opportunities, so he’s going to keep getting more and more. I’m proud of him and I’m happy for him.”
Las Vegas had the ball with 18 seconds left in the first half. The Patriots rushed four players and dropped everyone else back in coverage. Ponder slipped past Miller again, this time committing to the outside rush. Cousins had his back turned again and Ponder stretched his arms wide in an effort to punch the ball out.
The Raiders ran the clock out and Ponder celebrated. There was a point not too long ago when few people knew his name. After Kevin Harlan yelled it on Sunday following the second sack, it’s easy to imagine that changing.
“It’s just coming in day in and day out and not really changing, not really wavering,” Ponder said. “Just sticking to the routine and hoping for the outcomes that happened. So, just keep putting my head down and putting in the work.”
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
