Trey McBride’s Impact on Tight End Position

Nashville, Tennessee – Trey McBride found himself among the younger crowd at Vanderbilt’s meeting for tight ends on Tuesday, surrounded by about 80 fellow players.

Despite being relatively new to the scene—only three years with the Arizona Cardinals after being picked in the second round from Colorado—McBride has certainly made a mark. His contributions didn’t go unnoticed, as the Cardinals rewarded him with a significant four-year, $76 million extension, making him the highest-paid tight end in the league.

Interestingly, San Francisco 49ers standout George Kittle, who helped launch TEU with Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen, broke that record shortly after with his own extension worth $76.4 million. Even so, McBride is now part of elite conversations among the top tight ends in the NFL.

During a recent meeting at a work summit in Nashville, Kittle remarked on McBride’s highlights, showcasing them as the benchmark for tight end performance. McBride confessed to feeling somewhat amazed to receive recognition from such established players. “I think it’s crazy to be recognized by some of these people… It’s so surreal to gain respect and get that praise from those people. That’s a great honor,” he shared before an event on the golf course.

In a curious twist, McBride discovered the news about his contract extension while on the golf course. Although his time at the top of the tight end pay scale was brief, he’s definitely not shy about advocating for his peers. He expressed a desire for his fellow tight ends to aim even higher in terms of contracts.

“In the end, we’re trying to raise the tight end position,” he emphasized. “I’m happy that George has gotten more. I hope someone can jump over George, and everyone can make more money. It’s a big position that continues to grow.”

A big part of McBride’s success stems from the rapport he’s built with quarterback Kyler Murray. Their connection was evident last season when McBride captured 111 of 147 targets for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns over 16 games—some catches defying expectations, often made with multiple defenders around him.

“It’s a great honor to prove to him that you can go to him and play for him,” McBride stated, conveying his commitment. “More than anything, I just want to have that trust with him.”

As McBride reflects on his journey, it’s clear that he’s set a strong example for other tight ends in the league, not only in terms of performance but also financially. It seems his career is just getting started, and with the connections he’s nurturing, there’s plenty of potential ahead.