Trey McBride, tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, recently set a new milestone by surpassing Jimmy Graham for the most receptions by a tight end in their first four NFL seasons. Last weekend, McBride also moved into second place for most consecutive games with at least five receptions by a tight end. He has an opportunity to tie Travis Kelce’s record of 15 straight games this Sunday at State Farm Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams.
Despite these achievements, McBride said his focus remains on team success rather than individual accolades. “Right now, I’m just kind of going through it and trying to do my job to the best my ability and try to win some football games,” McBride said. “Honestly, that stuff doesn’t really do it for me. I don’t really care either way. I think it’s great that I’m doing it, but I just try to do my job and win some football games. That’s what I care about right now.”
McBride acknowledged he might appreciate his records more after his playing career ends but credited his success to teammates and coaches: “I would have never guessed it,” he said. “I’ve been successful the last couple of years, but I credit that to the O-Line, to the coaches, to the quarterbacks who give me the ball.”
As of Monday, McBride led all tight ends in Pro Bowl votes.
However, following Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McBride remained preoccupied with a key play he felt could have changed the game’s outcome—a fourth-and-1 run where he disengaged from his block too early. “That’s a big play that’s really eating at me,” McBride said. “I could’ve strained a little bit harder. I could’ve been better in that plan. That’s really tearing me up.”
While not yet known as an elite blocking tight end—a role previously filled by Tip Reiman before his season-ending injury—McBride has worked on improving this aspect of his game. The Cardinals have adjusted by using offensive linemen like Josh Fryar and Kelvin Beachum as blocking tight ends.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett praised McBride’s determination and performance: “I think every week I find something new that I admire about his game and him as a person,” Brissett said. He added that opposing teams are aware of McBride’s impact: during one play against Tampa Bay, a defender called for extra help covering him on a seam route—but was unsuccessful.
“His ability to just want the ball, want to be successful and want to win,” Brissett continued. “I remember my college coach always said (that) when you turn the film on, you want to make sure somebody can tell that you want to win. I think that’s very evident. When you turn a film on, watch Trey.”
Earlier in the week, McBride gained attention online for naming his top four all-time NFL tight ends—his own “Mount Rushmore.” If he maintains his current pace, observers note he may soon be included in such lists himself.
McBride reiterated that victories matter most: “I want to win every single game and what we work to do is to win every single game,” he said. “The one score games, the losses, it’s tough. We’re right there. We are a play away here, play away there. I’m still confident in our team. I know we’re a good team.”
To mark his recent accomplishment surpassing Jimmy Graham’s record for receptions by a tight end over four seasons—with 309 catches so far—the jersey worn by McBride during Sunday’s game is now displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
