Kool-Aid McKinstry, a cornerback for the New Orleans Saints, has spoken out against the trend among some NFL defenders of avoiding hard hits by making 'business decisions' to minimize injury risk. In an interview with Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, McKinstry rejected the notion of 'business decisions,' emphasizing that tackling is an integral part of the job and a core aspect of his identity as a tough, aggressive player. He highlighted his strong performance in 2025, recording 76 tackles, 17 passes defended, and three interceptions, with 59 of his tackles coming alone. NFL/Savant noted his 4.4 tackles per game ranked in the top 40% of defensive backs, while his 17 passes defended placed him in the top 1%. McKinstry stresses the importance of tackling to young players, arguing that if they cannot tackle, they should consider playing offense instead.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports-related issue within the NFL, discussing player behavior and performance metrics. There is no political charge or ideological framing present. The tone remains objective, presenting McKinstry's views and statistical achievements without overtly favoring any particular






