If the Arizona Cardinals are going to have a bounce-back campaign in 2024, it’ll likely be on the back of another great year from their promising tight end, Trey McBride.
The Colorado State product was one of the rare bright spots for the Arizona Cardinals, who missed out on the playoffs after finishing the 2023 campaign at the bottom of the NFC East with a 4-13 record. But more importantly, Trey McBride has hit it off with their quarterback, Kyler Murray, which should only benefit the team in the long run.
And since they’re equipped with the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft this summer, the future is looking bright for the Arizona Cardinals and their supporters.
Trey McBride’s emergence as one of the best players for the Arizona Cardinals
As a rookie, McBride appeared in 16 games and started 13, finishing with 29 receptions for 265 receiving yards and only one receiving touchdown. However, this year, the 2021 John Mackey Award winner has improved significantly, having recorded 81 receptions for 825 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
One of his top highlights happened in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, as he became the first Arizona Cardinals tight end to receive at least 100 yards in a game since Rob Await in 1989. He is also the second tight end in franchise history to have surpassed the 800-yard threshold since Jackie Smith last did it in 1967 (1,205 receiving yards).
Watch out for the Trey McBride-Kyler Murray connection in 2024
Kyler Murray managed to play eight regular-season games this season after coming back from a torn ACL, tallying 1,799 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and only five interceptions for an 89.4 completion percentage.
Due to the lack of weapons at the Arizona Cardinals’ disposal, Trey McBride has relished the opportunity to become one of the main targets for Kyler Murray this season.
“You know, I think it was just having the opportunity to get on the field. To play and to show the coaches what I can do,” said McBride on the “Up & Adams” show.
“I had a great connection with Kyler, he was trusting me and throwing me the ball. It was just a lot of fun. I was out there making plays and it was a blast doing it,” he added.