At the 1999 NFL Combine, he weighed 205 pounds and performed a 4.53 second 40-yard dash, a 4.08 second 20-yard shuttle, a 6.90 3-cone drill, and a vertical leap of 38 inches. Chris McAlister jumps to intercept a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006. He finished his career with 174 interceptions, which is currently third all-time. McAlister was listed as being 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and 193 pounds in college. His time in the 40-yard dash was faster than most linebackers run (4.53 seconds). He also had one of the best 3-cone drills among all cornerbacks (6.90). In his rookie season, McAlister started 13 games for the Minnesota Vikings and recorded 113 tackles, five passes defensed, and two interceptions. He was voted Second-Team All-Pro by the Pro Football Writers Association. In 2005, McAlister started 14 games for the Chicago Bears and recorded 92 tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defensed. He was ranked 70th on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Players of the National Football League. After leaving the NFL, McAlister became an assistant coach for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.