Countdown to Kickoff: Isaiah Stalbird is the Saints Player of Day 44
There are 44 days until the New Orleans Saints open their 2025 season. Head coach Kellen Moore enters his first year with New Orleans, as his team hosts the Arizona Cardinals to begin their 59th NFL campaign. Wearing No. 44 for the Saints is linebacker Isaiah Stalbird, entering his second year with New Orleans. Stalbird is our Saints Player of the Day, so here's a closer look at his background.
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.
Isaiah Stalbird will be in the middle of fierce competition for roster spots with the Saints during training camp. He's projected to remain at linebacker, where he's undersized but possesses outstanding open field agility. Stalbird also brings the abilities of being a collegiate safety. This gives him some scheme versatility, especially in pass coverage packages.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Joe Thuney (No. 3)
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Next up at No. 3 is left guard Joe Thuney, who will be a key role in shoring up Chicago's offensive line and protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. Background Position: Left guard Age: 32 Experience: 10th season 2025 cap hit: $8 million 2024 recap Thuney has established himself as one of the best guards in the NFL, and he showcased why last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, Thuney started all 17 games for the Chiefs. While he played primarily at left guard, he kicked over to left tackle for three contests as Kansas City dealt with injuries along the offensive line. Thuney once again served as key protection for quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs once again made a Super Bowl appearance. Thuney was named to the Pro Bowl and earned a First-Team All-Pro nod for his 2024 outing. 2025 outlook The Bears focused on overhauling the offensive line this offseason, including the additions of guard Jonah Jackson (via trade) and center Drew Dalman (in free agency). But their biggest addition was Thuney, who was acquired in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Shortly after, Chicago signed him to a two-year, $35 million deal to keep him through 2027. Thuney has the potential to have the biggest impact given his resume and proven production. He's coming off an All-Pro season where he even kicked out to left tackle, but he thrived at left guard protecting Patrick Mahomes. Now, Thuney brings that experience, production and leadership to a revamped Chicago offensive line that will be crucial to quarterback Caleb Williams' success. And if rookie Ozzy Trapilo wins the starting left tackle job, Thuney will be even more crucial for Trapilo as he acclimates to the pro game. The Bears will only go as far as Williams takes them. And Williams will only go as far as his offensive line allows. Thuney will play an integral role in the offensive line's success. Big question: Can Thuney continue to be a top NFL guard in Chicago? The Bears invested a lot in Thuney -- a fourth round pick in 2026 and $33.5 million guaranteed -- so they're banking on him to serve an integral role along the offensive line. Thuney is a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner and one of the best guards in the entire NFL. Thuney's an elite pass blocker and has been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade. But the question remains whether Thuney will continue that level of play outside of a winning organization like Kansas City. Chicago overhauled the entire interior offensive line, and Thuney will serve as an anchor in the trenches when it comes to protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025 #30 - RB Roschon Johnson #29 - QB Case Keenum #28 - K Cairo Santos #27 - DT Andrew Billings #26 - CB Tyrique Stevenson #25 - WR Luther Burden III #24 - RG Jonah Jackson #23 - LB Tremaine Edmunds #22 - DE Dayo Odeyingbo #21 - S Kevin Byard #20 - S Jaquan Brisker #19 - LB T.J. Edwards #18 - TE Cole Kmet #17 - DT Grady Jarrett #16 - DT Gervon Dexter #15 - RB D'Andre Swift #14 - TE Colston Loveland #13 - OT Ozzy Trapilo #12 - OT Braxton Jones #11 - WR DJ Moore #10 CB Kyler Gordon #9 - OT Darnell Wright #8 - DE Montez Sweat #7 - C Drew Dalman #6 - CB Jaylon Johnson #5 - WR Rome Odunze #4 - DC Dennis Allen #3 - LG Joe Thuney #2 - Coming 7/28 #1 - Coming 7/29 This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Important Bears of 2025: Joe Thuney (No. 3)
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Biggest Steelers takeaways from Day 4 of training camp
Day 4 of Steelers training camp has come on and gone — and there was much to digest after practices on Sunday. From health concerns to new faces proving themselves in Latrobe, here are the biggest takeaways from Day 4 in camp. Injuries are beginning to pile up Both OT Broderick Jones and WR Montana Lemonious-Craig suffered soft-tissue injuries on Sunday and are considered day-to-day — while FB DJ Thomas-Jones suffered a "more significant" leg injury and was carted off the field. RB Cordarrelle Patterson also missed his fourth straight practice at camp. Yahya Black has arrived Drafted with the 164th pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Black made his presence felt on Sunday — swatting down two passes during team drills and turning in an overall impressive Day 4 performance. Brandin Echols stands tall CB Brandin Echols hasn't taken the offseason disrespect lying down — making a strong case that he belongs in this stacked Steelers secondary. From his interception on Mason Rudolph to Mike Tomlin's comments on his fiery personality, Echols was the talk of camp on Sunday. Will Howard continues to outperform Mason Rudolph The Steelers' sixth-round rookie QB continued to impress on Sunday — even outperforming Mason Rudolph, who overthrew RB Kaleb Johnson on a screen and was intercepted by Echols during seven shots. While the narrative could change next week when pads come on, Howard deserves all the attention he's gotten thus far in Latrobe. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers training camp Day 4 takeaways and standout moments
USA Today
9 minutes ago
- USA Today
30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Joe Thuney (No. 3)
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Next up at No. 3 is left guard Joe Thuney, who will be a key role in shoring up Chicago's offensive line and protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. Background Position: Left guard Age: 32 Experience: 10th season 2025 cap hit: $8 million 2024 recap Thuney has established himself as one of the best guards in the NFL, and he showcased why last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, Thuney started all 17 games for the Chiefs. While he played primarily at left guard, he kicked over to left tackle for three contests as Kansas City dealt with injuries along the offensive line. Thuney once again served as key protection for quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs once again made a Super Bowl appearance. Thuney was named to the Pro Bowl and earned a First-Team All-Pro nod for his 2024 outing. 2025 outlook The Bears focused on overhauling the offensive line this offseason, including the additions of guard Jonah Jackson (via trade) and center Drew Dalman (in free agency). But their biggest addition was Thuney, who was acquired in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Shortly after, Chicago signed him to a two-year, $35 million deal to keep him through 2027. Thuney has the potential to have the biggest impact given his resume and proven production. He's coming off an All-Pro season where he even kicked out to left tackle, but he thrived at left guard protecting Patrick Mahomes. Now, Thuney brings that experience, production and leadership to a revamped Chicago offensive line that will be crucial to quarterback Caleb Williams' success. And if rookie Ozzy Trapilo wins the starting left tackle job, Thuney will be even more crucial for Trapilo as he acclimates to the pro game. The Bears will only go as far as Williams takes them. And Williams will only go as far as his offensive line allows. Thuney will play an integral role in the offensive line's success. Big question: Can Thuney continue to be a top NFL guard in Chicago? The Bears invested a lot in Thuney -- a fourth round pick in 2026 and $33.5 million guaranteed -- so they're banking on him to serve an integral role along the offensive line. Thuney is a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner and one of the best guards in the entire NFL. Thuney's an elite pass blocker and has been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade. But the question remains whether Thuney will continue that level of play outside of a winning organization like Kansas City. Chicago overhauled the entire interior offensive line, and Thuney will serve as an anchor in the trenches when it comes to protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025
