Trey McBride embraces pressure of being NFL’s highest-paid tight end

Trey McBride remains unfazed by the pressure despite becoming the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.

Trey McBride embraces pressure of being NFL’s highest-paid tight end

Trey McBride (Image via AP)

The NFL has a new highest-paid tight end. Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals has become the top-earning tight end, eclipsing Travis Kelce’s average annual value of $17.1 million. The Cardinals offered him a four-year, $76 million contract with an average annual value of $19 million. This was no easy feat to achieve, and to Trey McBride, it is a testament to his lifetime of work and commitment to the game.

Trey McBride ended his season with 111 receptions and 1,146 yards, along with 2 touchdowns. He earned his first career Pro Bowl ticket, and now, the Cardinals have showcased their faith in him by offering a substantial deal despite the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr; McBride continued to be a key piece of Arizona’s offense.

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He had significantly more receptions than the rookie wide receiver. After signing his new deal, the tight end was overcome with gratitude. McBride expressed his contentment and appreciation to the Cardinals franchise and addressed the added pressure to perform.

Trey McBride intends to remain the same. The new contract changes nothing in his eyes.

It’s happy tears for sure. No pressure at all, I had no pressure when I was on a rookie deal, and I don’t expect any pressure now. I’m just gonna continue to do what I’ve done. Continue to put the work in and everything really does take care of itself. You just do the right thing, work hard and everything will take care of itself.

Trey McBride stated

His humility is laudable, and his approach to the game is remarkable.

Kyler Murray was one of the first teammates to reach out to Trey McBride after his landmark contract extension

There was nobody more excited after this deal than Kyler Murray. The quarterback of the Cardinals wasted no time in reaching out to Trey McBride to convey his congratulations to him.

Kyler, one of the first guys I talked to, FaceTime me. We were able to talk, just rejoice. Really just how excited we are to play with each other for a few more years, to grow, to win, to do all the things that we want to do together. To know that me and him will be here together for a long time was very special.

Tyler McBride expressed his happiness to continue playing with Murray
Trey McBride
Trey McBride (Image via AP)

The Cardinals were one of the more efficient teams on passing offense this season. The team had a 68.9% completion rate and averaged 7.1 yards per play. McBride and Murray are looking to cement themselves as the best QB-TE duo in the NFL. Kyler Murray now has a talented wide receiver who showed promise in his first year and a star tight end who continues to get better. The Cardinals will be expected to be a top 5 offense in the league in the 2025-26 season.

McBride finished the year with the second-most receiving yards and receptions amongst his peers. There is one area he would look to improve on over the next year, and that would be in finding the endzone frequently. Despite a 1,000-yard receiving season, McBride found the endzone just twice. That should not be a point of concern because the tight end has consistently improved, and at this rate, he will hope to eclipse Jackie Smith as the greatest Cardinals tight end to grace the field.