Cardinals' Trey McBride Makes Bold Admission About Pressure.
Cardinals’ Trey McBride Makes Bold Admission About Pressure Tied to $76 Million Deal. Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride has emerged as one of the standout success stories of the NFL offseason, thanks to landing a massive four-year, $76 million contract extension. This lucrative deal not only secures McBride’s future with the Cardinals but also places him at the top of the league as the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
Despite the Cardinals enduring a challenging 2024 season—finishing 8-9 and placing third in the NFC West—McBride was a consistent and impressive performer on the field. He led the team in receiving yards, hauling in 1,146 yards and two touchdowns on 111 receptions from 147 targets across 16 games. His reliable presence in the offense stood out amid a season of ups and downs for the franchise.
While the record-setting contract could easily bring added expectations, McBride has remained calm and focused. He’s not allowing the weight of the deal to affect his mindset or performance. Speaking with ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss, McBride expressed a grounded approach: “I had no pressure when I was on a rookie deal, and I don’t expect any pressure now. I’m just going to continue to do what I’ve done, continue to put the work in, and everything really does take care of it. So, if you just do the right thing, you work hard, and everything will take care of it.”
Drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft—the first tight end selected in that year’s class—McBride had a modest start to his career. During his rookie season, he managed 265 receiving yards and a single touchdown on 29 catches from 39 targets over 16 games, including 13 starts. However, he took a significant leap forward in 2023, recording 825 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 81 receptions from 106 targets in 17 games, 12 of which he started.
Now 25 years old, McBride’s development continues to trend upward. With his new deal, he’s expected to remain a central piece of Arizona’s offense through at least the 2031 season. The Cardinals are betting on his continued growth and are optimistic that he’ll reach an even higher level in the years ahead.
