Arizona Cardinals Tight End Trey McBride Makes NFL History
Checking the Arizona Cardinals’ win-loss column this year has been a bit of a grim exercise. Sitting at 3-10, the season in the desert has been dry, to say the least. But if you’ve been tuning out because of the record, you’re missing one of the most absurd individual statistical runs. Tight End Trey McBride is busy rewriting the NFL history books, and he just took an eraser to a record held by none other than Travis Kelce.
A New King Of Consistency
In a league where consistency is the hardest currency to come by, McBride just became the gold standard. During the recent clash against the Houston Texans, the Cardinals’ tight end snagged his fifth reception of the game, including a two-yard touchdown grab, marking his 16th consecutive game with at least five catches.
Why does that matter? Because it pushes him past Kelce, who held the previous tight end record at 15 games. It’s not just about catching the ball; it’s about being the guy the quarterback looks for when the play breaks down, week in and week out. McBride isn’t just a safety valve anymore; he is the entire engine of the passing offense.
Furthermore, with this performance, McBride became the first tight end in NFL history to record back-to-back 100-catch seasons. He joins Kelce as the only two tight ends ever to notch multiple seasons with triple-digit receptions. That is elite company.
McBride Is Worth Every Penny
This past offseason, the Cardinals backed up the Brinks truck for McBride, handing him a four-year, $76 million extension. For a brief, shining moment, he was the highest-paid tight end in history (until George Kittle signed his deal shortly after).
Usually, when a player gets that kind of “generational wealth” money, you worry about a dip in production. The opposite has happened here. McBride is playing like he’s still fighting for a roster spot. Entering Week 15, he was already sitting on 93 catches for 937 yards and 8 touchdowns. He’s leading all NFL tight ends in yards and scores, putting up All-Pro numbers on a team that desperately needs a spark.
High Praise From All Sides
It is one thing for the stats to look good, but the tape tells an even better story. Houston Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans, a defensive mastermind, admitted that McBride is a nightmare to scheme against.
“The thing that jumps off the tape for me is his speed and explosiveness,” Ryans said. “You truly feel like he’s a bigger guy but runs like a wide receiver.”
Cardinals Quarterback Jacoby Brissett echoed that sentiment, focusing less on the athleticism and more on the attitude. Brissett noted that even when McBride isn’t getting penalty calls or is dealing with double teams, he simply finds a way to get open.
“His ability to just want the ball, want to be successful, and want to win,” Brissett said to reporters. “You feel it when you’re in the game.”
Chasing Larry Fitzgerald
McBride isn’t just chasing league-wide records; he’s hunting down franchise legends. With his recent touchdown, he tied Hall of Famer Jackie Smith for the most touchdowns by a tight end in a single season (nine).
If he snags two more scores before the season wraps, he will become the first Cardinals player to hit double-digit touchdown receptions since the legendary Larry Fitzgerald did it back in 2013.
