Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride has achieved a significant milestone by earning his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024. The recognition comes in the wake of a standout season for McBride, who has become a pivotal figure in the Cardinals' offense. His performance this year has been remarkable, with McBride achieving his first 1,000-yard season, amassing 1,146 receiving yards, and scoring two touchdowns on 111 catches. This breakout year not only highlights his receiving skills but also underscores his enhanced blocking abilities, which have been deemed "invaluable" to his team by his coach.
Growing up in Colorado, McBride dreamt of making it to the Pro Bowl. His journey from a young aspirant to a professional athlete reflects dedication and perseverance. An injury to fellow tight end Zach Ertz in Week 7 provided McBride the opportunity to become the team's top receiver, a role he embraced wholeheartedly. His resilience was evident throughout the season, despite missing one game due to a concussion in Week 3.
"This is something you dream about as a little kid. Obviously, you want to make it to the pros and then you want to be the best, and for me, this is just one step into that right direction. This is a huge honor for me. I'm very excited, proud and everyone else just to bring this back home where I'm from." – Trey McBride
McBride's growth this season has not gone unnoticed. His coach praised his work ethic and commitment to improving his blocking skills, which have significantly contributed to his success on the field. The assistant coach of Kliff Kingsbury noted McBride's dedication to all aspects of football, from meetings and weight room sessions to practice.
"He just goes about his business and works day by day." – Kliff Kingsbury (assistant)
"Loves the [meetings] and the weight room and practice, and loves to play, man. He loves football." – Kliff Kingsbury (assistant)
McBride's participation in Tight End University in Nashville during the summer before his breakout season played a crucial role in honing his skills. This initiative allowed him to learn from some of the best in the game, further enhancing his capabilities as a tight end. As a result, he finished the 2024 season leading the league among tight ends in targets per route run and team target share.
Ben Steele, another coach, emphasized the importance of blocking for tight ends, crediting McBride's physicality and determination at the point of attack as distinguishing factors that set him apart from others.
"They're not just slow receivers. If you don't block, you're just a slow receiver. So, he runs through people's face and he blocks people at the point of attack and most of the guys that get voted to the Pro Bowl, they don't do that." – Ben Steele
McBride recognizes that there is always room for improvement and has set ambitious goals for himself in the upcoming season.
"I feel like that's never going to be where I want it to be, but obviously I've made some strides in the pass game," – Trey McBride
Quarterback Kyler Murray shares a similar sentiment about McBride's potential for further growth. He believes that with McBride's passion for football and a mindset geared towards continuous improvement, the tight end can surpass his achievements from 2024.
"So, if you love football and you got a growth mindset and you're constantly trying to get better, you typically hit your ceiling. And I think he can still go a little bit higher, but he's done a really good job, premier player for us." – Kliff Kingsbury (assistant)
Looking ahead, McBride aims to participate in every game during the 2025 season. His commitment to staying healthy and maintaining his level of performance is evident as he sets out to continue making significant contributions to the Cardinals.
"The great ones show up every day." – Ben Steele
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