Saints corner Kool-Aid McKinstry switches to his college jersey number

It's official -- Kool-Aid McKinstry is going to be wearing his fourth jersey number in just three years with the New Orleans Saints. After previously sharing his plans to pick up the No. 1 jersey Alontae Taylor left behind after signing with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, McKinstry is now listed in No. 1 on the team's official website. The veteran cornerback has finally got his hands on the number he wore in college at Alabama.

McKinstry used the No. 4 jersey in his 2025 sophomore season after wearing No. 14 as a rookie; during the 2024 preseason, he went into games in No. 34. It's been a long road to get here, but he has to be happy. Like Deion Sanders said: "If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good." Because McKinstry was a second-round pick in 2024, he's eligible for a contract extension as soon as the 2026 season is over, and he'll be a free agent in 2028. If he can meet expectations in another year with Brandon Staley calling plays, maybe he can get an early contract extension in 2027. His former teammates -- Taylor and Paulson Adebo -- both got more than $18 million per year on the open market. With salaries climbing alongside the salary cap, the Saints may want to get ahead of the curve if they feel McKinstry is worth it.