A 44-day wait remains before the New Orleans Saints take the field for their 2026 regular season opener. New Orleans is on the road to begin their season, traveling for a showdown against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Wearing No. 44 for the Saints is Isaiah Stalbird at linebacker.
Stalbird was one of the biggest surprises for New Orleans in 2025. He could be an even bigger factor for their 2026 defense. Our countdown to kickoff series continues by looking at Stalbird and the other 15 players who wore No. 44 for the team.
Saints History of No. 44
- CB George Rose (1967)
- P Ollie Cordill (1969)
- CB Mike Fink (1973)
- S Chris Farasopoulos (1974)
- S Chuck Christ (1975-77)
- CB/S Dave Waymer (1980-89)
- S Antonio Gibson (1992)
- CB J.J. McCleskey (1994)
- RB Fred McCrary (1997)
- S Rob Kelly (1999)
- RB Terrelle Smith (2000-03)
- RB Mike Karney (2004-08)
- RB Heath Evans (2010-11)
- CB Elbert Mack (2012)
- LB Hau'oli Kikaha (2015-17)
- LB Isaiah Stalbird (2024-current)
The first player to suit up in 44 for the Saints was George Rose, who had 1 interception in 13 games during the team's inaugural season of 1967. Ollie Cordill was the team's punter during most of the 1969 campaign. Mike
Fink was the first New Orleans draft pick to suit up in 44 after being a ninth round choice in 1973. He played in 13 games with the team, as all of the first four Saints to wear 44 failed to last a full season in New Orleans. Chuck Crist broke that trend in 1975, playing 36 games over three years and recording 8 interceptions with 5 fumble recoveries and 3 sacks.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Dave Waymer was selected in Round 2 by the Saints in the 1980 NFL draft with the 41st overall choice. He is the highest-drafted player by New Orleans to wear No. 44. Waymer would be one of the few stars for New Orleans through the early 1980s, continuing a high level of play once the Saints reached consistent contender status. He played 149 games for New Orleans over his 10 seasons with the team, by far the most of anyone in a 44 jersey.
Waymer had 37 interceptions as a Saint, the most for any player in team history. His 149 games are the most of any New Orleans defensive back by a wide margin. In 1996, Waymer was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame, becoming just the third defensive back to get the honor. Unfortunately, Dave Waymer passed away in 1993 from a heart attack.
After Waymer came four players that wore No. 44 between 1990 and 2000, with only J.J. McKleskey sticking around for more than a year. McKleskey had an interception and 2 fumbles recovered over 32 games in three seasons. Fullback Terrelle Smith was added with a fourth round choice in the 2000 NFL draft. A punishing lead blocker for an explosive offense, Smith was a solid contributor for 59 games over his four years with the Saints.
Mark Karney and Heath Evans followed Smith at fullback over the next seven years, also wearing No. 44. Karney suited up for 75 contests, second only to Waymer in games played in the number. Evans was a key contributor early in 2009 but was placed on injured reserve and sidelined during the team's Super Bowl XLIV championship run.
A Round 2 pick, 44th overall, in 2015, Hau'oli Kikaha is the second highest drafted player by the Saints to wear 44. Kikaha showed good promise as a pass rusher. However, he was unable to stay healthy. A series of knee injuries limited to only 27 of a possible 48 games in his three years with New Orleans. He was out of the league by 2017.
Isaiah Stalbird is the first to wear No. 44 since Kikaha. An undrafted rookie last season, Stalbird appeared in five games on special teams as a rookie but showed dynamic potential on defense in his second season, albeit in limited opportunities. Stalbird could be an even bigger factor for the New Orleans defense as he enters his third season, with 22 games under his belt wearing the 44 uniform.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 44 days until Saints opener: Every player to wear the No. 44 jersey
