It’s instructive to reflect back on the 2022 draft when slings and arrows came from numerous directions when Arizona Cardinals then-general manager Steve Keim selected tight end Trey McBride in the second round of the draft.
Never mind that McBride was rated as the top tight end in the draft. Never mind that incumbent Zach Ertz, who had been acquired in a trade during the previous season, would turn 32 that season.
The “draft experts,” who usually believe they know more than those whose put in countless hours scouting and then making the choices, were convinced adding McBride made no sense.
Now, here we are 32 months later with McBride sitting at 104 receptions for the season, the ninth-most ever by a tight end, and heading to Orlando next month to represent the Cardinals in the Pro Bowl Games along with teammate Budda Baker.
McBride was supportive of Baker when he spoke to the media Thursday, saying, “He’s a guy who’s been around the block, knows how to be a pro. And he’s a guy that’s pushed me since Day 1. He’s a great, great leader. Obviously we play on different sides of the ball, but I look up to Budda a lot. He’s a great player and obviously very excited to share this with him.”
It was also interesting to hear one word he used in describing his feelings about the Pro-Bowl honor.
“This has been a huge goal of mine since I was a little kid to make a Pro Bowl and to be considered one of the best in the NFL,” he said. “And obviously, this was a goal coming into this season, something I’ve been striving for since I’ve gotten to the NFL and was just happy to finally accomplish it in my third season.”
“Finally,” he said, as if he had piled up numerous outstanding seasons only to be outvoted by other players.
The reality is it hasn’t been an easy road for McBride, but that’s often the case for rookies (see Marrin Harrison Jr.). During McBride’s first season, there were only 29 receptions on 39 targets for 265 yards (9.1 average) and one touchdown.
Ertz tore his ACL in mid-November that season and three weeks later quarterback Kyler Murray tore his. Ertz was the starter to begin 2023, but clearly wasn’t himself. He then injured his quadriceps and was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24.
After eight games with Joshua Dobbs and one with Clayton Tune at quarterback, McBride had only 28 receptions for 287 yards and one touchdown.
When Murray returned for a November 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons, everything changed for McBride. In the final eight games, he had 53 receptions for 538 yards and two touchdowns giving him a line of 81 (106 targets)-825-10.2-3 for the season.
Adding that to his current line of 104 (136 targets)-1,081-10.4-1 in 15 games (he was inactive for one), McBride has totaled 157 receptions (6.8 per game) for 1,619 yards (70.4 per game), 10.3 per catch and three touchdowns over the last 23 games.
For this season, he’s four receptions behind Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers’ 108. The all-time season leaders at the position are Ertz (116 in 2018, sixth NFL season), Evan Engram (114 in 2023, seventh season), Jason Witten (110 in 2012, 10th season), Travis Kelce (110 in 2022, 10th season), Mark Andrews (107 in 2021, fourth season), Darren Waller (107 in 2020, fifth season) and Kelce (105 in 2020, eighth season).
Finally, indeed.
McBride’s timing is also impeccable considering there is one year remaining on his contract and he will be eligible to sign an extension in the offseason. As if general manager Monti Ossenfort won’t be busy enough in the next six months.
Baker said Thursday, “He’s always been that guy to catch the rock and block and do everything that is necessary for a tight end to be great in this league. And I knew he was going to be great his rookie year and now he’s made his first Pro Bowl. He was in the hot tub when I saw him (this morning) and just had to shake his hand and say, ‘Congratulations.’
“He’s earned it. I think he’s one of the best tight ends in this league and he’s going to continue to get better. And Monty’s got to make him the highest paid.”
Baker, who signed an extension recently, was asked if he’s given any advice to McBride when it comes to the business side of things.
“I’ve talked to him a little bit,” he admitted. “As I say to you guys, that’s how I truly feel. And that’s what I told him. Let your play on the field, on film, speak for itself. You know your worth and you know what you mean to the team and just hone into what you want. And at the end of the day, that’s what you want, you earned it.
“And I know you’re going to continue to get better. You’re not going to slide off any type of way. So just continue to take it one day at a time, continue to work and everything else will take care of itself.”
Perhaps it was fitting that the man who signs the paychecks delivered the Pro Bowl news to McBride Thursday.
He said, “I was actually in the training room, getting a little treatment and (owner) Michael Bidwill came in and was able to tell me. It was great to hear it from him. What a huge honor. Very proud to represent this organization and it was great to hear it from him. For him to tell me, that was special to both of us.”
Just as special it will be when he signs that new contract.
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