RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesIn 44 days, the regular season for the New Orleans Saints will begin. The Saints are on the road to start 2026, playing at the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Linebacker Isaiah Stalbird wears No. 44 as training camp begins for New Orleans.Stalbird was a pleasant surprise for the Saints in 2025. He was one of the team's top special teams contributors and made exciting things happen when he got his opportunities on defense. Our training camp previews continue by looking at Stalbird as our most recent Saints Player of the Day.
Name (age): Isaiah Stalbird (26)
Hometown: Kearney, Ne.
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
College: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Relative Athletic Score: 9.50
Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (Saints)
NFL experience: 2 years
2026 salary cap hit: $1.08 million
Despite being an all-state selection at Kearney High School in Nebraska, Stalbird was forced to walk on for the in-state Cornhuskers. After redshirting in 2018, he became a special teams standout for Nebraska in 2019. He'd transfer to FCS South Dakota State following that season. The Jackrabbits reached the FCS National Championship Game during the 2020-21 campaign, with Stalbird being one of their defensive stars. A safety during his first three collegiate seasons, Stalbird would switch to linebacker in 2021. He responded to the change by forcing 2 fumbles and being second on the team in tackles. His standout play continued for the next two years, as Stalbird was a key factor in the Jackrabbits winning the FCS National Championship in 2022, then him earning All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades during his final year in 2023.
Stalbird finished his South Dakota State career with 18 passes broken up and 238 tackles, including 19 for loss. Despite the production, he was not selected in the 2024 NFL draft. Instead, New Orleans signed him to an undrafted deal. Stalbird elected to stay with the Saints despite being selected in the USFL draft by the Michigan Panthers. While he didn't make the active roster for New Orleans initially, he was kept on the practice squad. Stalbird would appear in five games with the Saints as a rookie. He wouldn't see any defensive snaps but did exhibit strong play on special teams.
In 2025, Stalbird showed dynamic traits for the Saints. He played every game and was one of their top special teamers, appearing in 83% (358) snaps with those units. It was on defense that he made a surprising impact. Stalbird played just 64 defensive snaps, 6% of the total on that side of the ball. However, 2 sacks and 4 pressures with a few other big plays nullified by penalties.
New Orleans would be wise to give Isaiah Stalbird more defensive reps. His athleticism and experience as a defensive back could make him a candidate for nickel packages. Stalbird created havoc as a blitzer, which is where he should be of immediate value. The Saints have questionable depth at off-ball linebacker, but Isaiah Stalbird has the potential to shore up that issue with his continued development.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Isaiah Stalbird is the Saints Player of Day 44
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