Trey McBride, tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, expressed disappointment after failing to catch a potential touchdown pass during last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. The play in question saw Jacoby Brissett’s pass reach McBride in the end zone before a defender hit him, causing an incompletion.
When asked if he gave himself any leniency for not holding onto the ball, McBride said, “No grace at all. I’ve got to make the play. I was gonna get drilled whether I caught it or I dropped it.” He added that missing out on several plays, especially the end zone attempt, has been frustrating: “I was frustrated. I was mad at myself more than anything. It was nothing they did or what Jacoby did, nothing like that. I was mad at myself for a few plays I left out there, that end zone play in particular. I feel like I’ve caught much harder balls than that. Then they come back to me on the next play and I get broken up … that’s another play I’ve made a million times.”
McBride recorded only four catches for 27 yards in the game—his lowest total this season—but has otherwise had a strong year with 109 receptions for 1,098 yards and 10 touchdowns so far. With two games remaining, he is close to breaking several franchise and league records for tight ends.
Brissett commented on McBride’s reaction after the game: “He came up to me after the game and goes, ‘Man, this will never happen again.’ I’m like, ‘Well, I hope not either, but it probably will.’ They did a good job of trying to find ways to mitigate what he can do, but like you said, he’s just such a good player. … I always say, his will to win is going to supersede a lot of the things that defenses try to do against him.”
Looking ahead to their upcoming matchup against Cincinnati Bengals—a team known for struggling defensively against tight ends—the Cardinals see an opportunity for improvement.
The team continues to face challenges with injuries; currently 22 players are listed on injured reserve or non-football injury lists—more than any other NFL team.
Darius Robinson is expected to see more playing time following Walter Nolen III’s season-ending injury. Defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III praised Robinson’s progress: “Week by week, he’s gotten better,” he said. “You watch the game really slow down for him.” DeLattiboudere declined comment on reports linking him with Michigan State’s coaching staff.
Wide receiver Michael Wilson is also approaching a milestone and needs 182 more yards this season to reach 1,000 receiving yards.
The Cardinals have struggled offensively in recent weeks with only 73 points scored over their last four games but may benefit from facing a Bengals defense allowing an average of 30.5 points and over 400 yards per game.
Quarterback Brissett emphasized the need for scoring efficiency: “Just getting down there and not scoring touchdowns in this league versus good teams, that’s the …” He continued: “you have to score touchdowns.”
Head coach Jonathan Gannon summarized his approach as focusing on daily improvement: “Have a good day today. That’s my goal today. That’s the part about staying positive. Control what you can control and make sure you maximize the day. Like I said, that’s what I’m excited about right now. Getting on the grass with them.”
