NFL CAREER – After signing as a rookie free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft, this third-year linebacker out of South Dakota State has become a leader on special teams and provided quality depth at linebacker. After exclusively contributing on special teams as a rookie in 2024, Stalbird showed versatility in Brandon Staley's defense in 2025, posting 11 tackles (five solo), one pass breakup, and two sacks while also adding a team-high 16 coverage stops. Stalbird will look to continue anchoring the Black and Gold coverage units and continue to provide versatility on defense in his third season with New Orleans.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to the active roster, 12/28/24; Elevated to the active roster (standard), 10/7/24; Elevated to the active roster (standard), 9/21/24; Elevated to the active roster (standard), 9/14/24; Signed to the practice squad, 8/28/24; Waived, 8/27/24; Agreed to terms, 4/27/24.
2025 – Played in all 17 games, recording 11 tackles (five solo), one pass breakup, two sacks, and had a team-high 16 special teams stops…Recorded a career-high four special teams stops in the season opener vs. Arizona, Sept. 7…Rotated in on defense for the first time at Seattle, Sept. 21, finishing with one pass breakup…Rotated in on defense and played on special teams vs. New England, Oct. 12, finishing with one defensive stop and three coverage tackles…Rotated in on defense and played on special teams vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 26, recording two tackles (one solo) and one special teams tackle…Finished with two defensive stops and two coverage tackles at Carolina, Nov. 9…Finished with three tackles (two solo), had the first sack of his career, and posted two coverage stops vs. Atlanta, Nov. 23…Recorded two tackles and one QB hit at Miami, Nov. 30…Posted a sack vs. N.Y. Jets, Dec. 21…Recorded two coverage stops in the season finale at Atlanta, 1/4/26. 2024 – Appeared in five games on special teams, posting three tackles.
COLLEGE – Played at Nebraska in 2019 and South Dakota State from 2020-23 and appeared in 64 career games and had totals of 251 tackles, 18.5 stops for loss, three sacks, an interception, 19 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and blocked two punts for the 2022 and 2023 FCS National Champions…As a senior in 2023, recorded 80 tackles (48 solo), 6.5 stops for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception and six pass breakups…In 2022, played in 12 games with ten starts and finished third on team with 55 tackles and tied for third on squad with four pass breakups…Recorded season-high eight solo tackles, also breaking up a pass and returning a fumble eight yards to set up a Jackrabbit TD in pivotal road win at North Dakota...Came up big in the FCS playoffs, racking up 22 stops in four contests...Notched five tackles and broke up a pass in quarterfinal win over Holy Cross...Matched season-high with eight tackles in semifinal victory over Montana State and credited with seven stops in championship game vs. North Dakota State…Moved full-time to linebacker in Fall of 2021 and started 14 of 15 games. Shared team lead with two forced fumbles and ranked second on squad with 73 tackles...Tallied career-high nine tackles and broke up a pass in opening win at Colorado State...Forced a fumble, broke up a pass and had five tackles vs. Southern Illinois...Collected at least three tackles in all four FCS playoff games, highlighted by his third nine-tackle performance of the season in second-round victory at Sacramento State...Forced a fumble and totaled four tackles in semifinal game at Montana State…In 2020-21 season, played in all ten games, including starting first two contests of season...Recorded at least one tackle in every game while playing at safety and in the nickel position...Tallied four tackles and blocked a punt in season opener at Northern Iowa, earning squad's Special Teams Player of the Week...Notched tackles for loss as part of three-stop performances in consecutive games at North Dakota and vs. Western Illinois...Broke up season-high two passes at UND…Opened FCS playoff run with season-high five tackles, a stop for loss and a pass breakup in win over Holy Cross...Registered three tackles in semifinal win over Delaware and National Championship Game vs. Sam Houston…Played in 12 games for Cornhuskers in 2019, seeing action at both safety and on special teams. Finished with 13 tackles and one blocked punt…Graduated with a degree in human development and family studies.
PERSONAL – Joined the Huskers as a walk-on after a standout career at Kearney (Neb.) HS…Earned first-team All-State from the Omaha World-Herald and was a Lincoln Journal Star Super State selection...Registered 77 tackles as senior...Added 22 receptions for 393 yards and six TDs as a WR…Rode in 2026 Krewe of Tucks Mardi Gras parade with several teammates…Visited Ochsner Children's Hospital with teammates on the Tuesday prior to team's Week Five win over the New York Giants as part of the start of "Crucial Catch Month"…Born July 18, 2000 In Chicago, Ill.
