PHX Reporter

When covering a team for 25 years, certain themes become memorable. For the Arizona Cardinals, finding a high-level tight end has been one such enduring theme.

The team had moments of hope in the past. In 2002, they signed Freddie Jones as a free agent, but he never fully reached his potential with some struggling offenses. A trade for Zach Ertz showed promise until a knee injury cut short his impact. The team's move to Arizona brought Rob Awalt and Jay Novacek, but Novacek only shone after joining Super Bowl teams in Dallas.

Enter Trey McBride.

Initially met with skepticism as a second-round pick despite being the top tight end in the 2022 college draft class, McBride took time to find his footing while Ertz was still on the roster. By the end of last season, McBride had earned recognition among the NFL's top tight ends.

"He's not a one-trick pony," said coach Jonathan Gannon. "He's really good in the run game, and ... he's a three-level guy. He can beat you first level, second level and third level. Then in my opinion, where I think he's really elite is with the ball in his hands."

McBride is close to becoming the Cardinals' first 1,000-yard tight end since their move to Arizona, highlighting what the team has lacked over the years. This achievement also underscores Jackie Smith's legacy as a Hall of Famer and franchise icon. McBride's recent performance in Miami marked his third 100-yard game — second-most by any player in franchise history behind Smith's 22.

Whether or not McBride matches Smith's record remains uncertain. Nonetheless, he stands out as one of the best tight ends for the Cardinals in recent memory.