Trey McBride is an American football tight end who plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL. Since entering the league in 2022, McBride has developed into one of the most productive pass-catching tight ends in professional football. The Cardinals selected him with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and his production has increased substantially with every season.
McBride’s career progression makes his story especially interesting. He began his rookie campaign with 29 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown. In 2023, he improved to 81 receptions and 825 yards before breaking out in 2024 with 111 receptions for 1,146 yards. His 2025 season took that development to another level, as he recorded 126 receptions, 1,239 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns over 17 games.
| Trey McBride Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Tight End |
| NFL Team | Arizona Cardinals |
| Draft Year | 2022 |
| Draft Pick | 55th overall |
| College | Colorado State |
| Career Receptions | 347 |
| Career Receiving Yards | 3,475 |
| Career TDs | 17 |
| Current Contract | Through 2029 |
Trey McBride’s College Football Career
Before becoming an NFL star, Trey McBride made a strong name for himself at Colorado State. His college career helped establish him as one of the most talented tight ends available in the 2022 draft class. His combination of size, receiving ability, toughness, and reliability made him an attractive prospect for teams looking for a modern tight end who could contribute heavily in the passing game.
McBride’s college development also showed why he could eventually become more than a traditional blocking tight end. His ability to create separation and make difficult catches gave scouts confidence that he could handle a large receiving workload at the professional level. The Cardinals ultimately invested a second-round selection in him, and that decision has produced significant results.
Trey McBride Enters the NFL
The Arizona Cardinals selected Trey McBride 55th overall in 2022. His rookie season was relatively modest compared with what would follow, but he gained valuable experience and appeared in all 16 games. He finished that season with 29 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown.
His second season demonstrated clear progress. McBride appeared in 17 games and finished with 81 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns. That increase in production suggested that Arizona had found a dependable receiving weapon at tight end. Instead of remaining a secondary option, McBride increasingly became a central part of the Cardinals’ offensive plans.
Trey McBride’s Breakout With the Cardinals
The biggest jump came in 2024. McBride caught 111 passes for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns, giving him his first season with more than 1,000 receiving yards. The Cardinals also relied heavily on him as a consistent chain-moving target.
That season established McBride as one of the NFL’s premier receiving tight ends. His 111 receptions were particularly impressive because they demonstrated consistency rather than simply relying on a handful of explosive plays. Arizona had a reliable offensive weapon capable of contributing throughout games, and McBride entered 2025 with considerably higher expectations.
Trey McBride’s Record-Setting 2025 Season
The 2025 season became the defining year of Trey McBride’s career. He finished with 126 receptions, 1,239 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. His 126 receptions established a new NFL single-season record for a tight end, surpassing the previous mark of 116 receptions set by Zach Ertz in 2018.
McBride’s accomplishments went beyond the reception record. He became the first tight end in NFL history to record 100 receptions in consecutive seasons, while also becoming the first tight end in Cardinals franchise history to earn first-team AP All-Pro honors.
| 2025 Trey McBride Statistic | Total |
| Games | 17 |
| Receptions | 126 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,239 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 11 |
| Average per Reception | 9.8 yards |
| Long Reception | 31 yards |
Trey McBride Stats and Career Achievements
Through the 2025 regular season, McBride had accumulated 347 receptions, 3,475 receiving yards, and 17 receiving touchdowns across 66 games. The steady rise from 29 receptions as a rookie to 126 receptions in 2025 highlights how dramatically his role expanded.
His 2025 campaign also brought significant recognition. The Cardinals reported that McBride earned first-team AP All-Pro honors and became the first tight end in franchise history to receive that distinction. He also appeared at No. 13 on the NFL Top 100 players list following his All-Pro season.
Trey McBride Contract and Future in Arizona
The Cardinals showed their commitment to McBride by signing him to a four-year, $76 million contract extension in April 2025. The deal keeps him under contract through the 2029 season and was reported at the time as making him the NFL’s highest-paid tight end by average annual value, at $19 million.
The contract reflects how important McBride has become to Arizona’s offense. Rather than treating his 2025 production as a one-season achievement, the Cardinals invested in him as a long-term cornerstone. His combination of receiving volume, reliability, and experience gives the team a proven offensive weapon entering the next stage of his career.
Why Trey McBride Is One of the NFL’s Best Tight Ends
There are several reasons Trey McBride has become such a valuable player. His biggest strength is consistency. He has moved from 29 receptions as a rookie to more than 80, then more than 100, and eventually 126 receptions. That progression shows both individual improvement and growing trust from his offense.
McBride also fits the modern NFL tight-end role exceptionally well. He can operate as a traditional tight end while functioning as a high-volume receiver. His record-setting 2025 season demonstrated that he can handle significant target volume without losing his effectiveness. With Arizona committed to him through 2029, he has the opportunity to build one of the strongest tight-end careers of his generation.
Conclusion
Trey McBride has transformed from a second-round draft selection into one of the NFL’s most accomplished young tight ends. His consistent development, 1,000-yard receiving seasons, record-setting 126 catches in 2025, and first-team All-Pro recognition have established him as a major offensive weapon for the Arizona Cardinals.
His four-year, $76 million extension through 2029 further demonstrates Arizona’s confidence in his future. If McBride continues producing at his current level, he could remain one of the league’s most influential tight ends for years to come.
FAQs
1. What position does Trey McBride play?
Trey McBride plays tight end for the Arizona Cardinals.
2. When was Trey McBride drafted?
The Arizona Cardinals selected McBride with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
3. How many receptions did Trey McBride have in 2025?
McBride recorded 126 receptions for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns in the 2025 regular season.
4. How long is Trey McBride under contract?
McBride signed a four-year extension in 2025 that keeps him with the Cardinals through the 2029 season.
