In a season that most Arizona Cardinals fans have watched through the cracks of their fingers, covering their eyes, Trey McBride has been the solitary reason to keep the TV on. That was never more evident than on Sunday in Cincinnati. While the scoreboard was ugly, a 37-14 drubbing by the Bengals that dropped Arizona to a painful 3-13 record, McBride was busy carving his name into the NFL history books.
With 4:41 left in the fourth quarter, on a simple 5-yard hitch route that won’t make many highlight reels, McBride hauled in his eighth catch of the day and the 117th of his season. That grab officially moved him past his former teammate and mentor, Zach Ertz, for the most receptions by a tight end in a single NFL season.
A Lone Star In a Lost Season
Let’s be honest: 2025 has been a year to forget for the Cardinals. We’ve seen Kyler Murray benched and injured. We’ve seen Marvin Harrison Jr.’s sophomore season derailed by health issues. The offense has often looked like it was trying to drive a car with three wheels.
And yet, there’s McBride.
The sheer volume of his production is absurd considering the defensive attention he receives. Defenses know the ball is going to #85. The fans know it. The guy selling popcorn in the upper deck knows it. And still, nobody can stop it. McBride finished Sunday’s contest with 10 catches for 76 yards and a score, pushing his season total to a staggering 119 receptions with one game still to play.
“It’s really cool, and I’m thankful for my teammates and coaches,” McBride told reporters post-game. “But honestly, it doesn’t really matter. I would’ve loved to have won the game.”
That’s the kind of quote that makes coaches sleep a little better at night. Speaking of which, Head Coach Jonathan Gannon, who has had a rough go of it lately, couldn’t help but tip his cap. “I’m down about the team, and I know he’s down about the team,” Gannon said. “But I don’t want to overlook that. He’s had a fantastic year.”
Chasing Greatness
What makes this record even sweeter is the context. McBride didn’t just break a random record; he eclipsed Ertz, the guy who showed him the ropes. Ertz set the previous mark of 116 with the Eagles back in 2018. For McBride to shatter that ceiling in just his fourth season speaks volumes about his reliability.
He’s now sitting at 119 catches and 11 touchdowns on the year. To put that in perspective, he’s not just playing like a top-tier tight end; he’s putting up WR1 numbers while blocking linebackers.
What’s Next For McBride?
The Cardinals have one game left on the schedule against the Rams. While the team is playing for draft position, McBride has a chance to pad a record that might stand for a very long time. He needs just 33 yards in the season finale to break the franchise single-season yardage record for a tight end, a mark held by Hall of Famer Jackie Smith since 1967.
Arizona has a mountain of questions to answer this offseason regarding the quarterback, the coaching staff, and the roster. But they have one definitive answer: McBride is a superstar. Even if Sunday felt a bit like celebrating a birthday at a funeral, it was a history-making performance that deserves its flowers.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
