Trey McBride, tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, is basking in the glow of his superb 2024 NFL season, one marked by performance milestones and personal accolades. It's hard to deny the excitement surrounding him after scoring a receiving touchdown in his second consecutive game during the Arizona victory against the San Francisco 49ers. For McBride, this wasn’t just another game; it was the punctuation mark on what many are calling one of the best seasons by a tight end in the franchise's history.
With seven receptions for 65 yards and yet another touchdown under his belt, McBride has firmly established himself as the cornerstone of the Cardinals' passing game. His impressive season statistics include 111 receptions for 1,146 yards and four total touchdowns. He now stands as the record holder for the most receptions by a tight end through their first three seasons, surpassing the previous record held by NFL star George Kittle. Reflecting on his record-breaking season, McBride stated, "The records are whatever. It’s just more important for us to get a win. This is a great team and just to win going to the offseason." He added, "This is what you think about the whole offseason so now the next four or five months, all we can think about is this last game and just to end it on a really good note."
After completing their season, the Arizona Cardinals held exit interviews, with McBride meeting the press to discuss what was next. Unsurprisingly, contract negotiations were at the forefront of everyone's minds, but McBride’s demeanor showed his priorities were elsewhere. He remarked, "Honestly, I'm not even thinking about it. I kind of just let everyone else take care of it. Right now, I'm just going to get healthy, focus on the offseason for a little bit, and the stuff will kind of take care of itself when the time for it. But right now, I'm just focused on the next day and what I can do to get healthy going to this offseason."
While uncertainty looms over his future contract negotiations, McBride’s teammates have rallied around his talent. Cardinals safety Budda Baker pointed out his impressive capabilities, stating, "He’s always been the guy who can catch the rock, to block, to do everything necessary for a tight end to be great in this league. I knew he was going to be great his rookie year, and now he's here, made his first Pro Bowl. He's earned it. I think he's one of the best tight ends and he's going to continue to get bigger."
One of the main topics of conversation surrounding McBride will be his upcoming contract and the financial terms he could command. Kittle currently holds the record for the largest contract for a tight end, boasting five years at $75 million. Given McBride's record-breaking accomplishments and potential for continued growth, the expectations are sky-high. Baker also nudged the front office on this front by emphasizing, "Monti [Ossenfort]’s got to make him the highest paid.”
This season has not only solidified McBride's status as one of the elite tight ends in football but has also established him as one of the premier tight ends fantasy managers can rely on. For fans and analysts alike, McBride promises to be one of the first names on fantasy draft boards heading toward next season. His versatility and consistent scoring make him not just indispensable for the Cardinals, but also for fantasy rosters across leagues.
Looking back at the season, McBride expressed pride not only for the personal accolades but also for how the team ended the season. He remarked on the contributions of his teammates, stating, "The defense played great, we had a fake punt. All the way around I think they played really good, so just proud of these guys and the way they finished the season.” His humility shines, emphasizing the collective effort over individual achievements.
With the offseason now underway, eyes will undoubtedly remain on Trey McBride. There’s no doubt he will focus on healing and preparing for the upcoming season, but discussions around his contract will surely be at the forefront when the negotiations begin. For the Arizona Cardinals, the future is bright with McBride at the helm of their offensive strategy. And for the fans, excitement over the Pro Bowl tight end is palpable as everyone eagerly anticipates what’s next for their star player.