Trey McBride is the tight end on the Arizona Cardinals. He’s poised to improve his game to new heights following an amazing year in which he pulled in 100 receptions, a huge landmark catch in the life of any pass catcher. Last year, the player turned into one of the league’s most potent offensive weapons. He led the Cardinals in receiving yards, highlighting his unique talent as both a catcher and a blocker. Off the heels of his breakout performance, McBride signed a record-setting, four-year, $76 million contract extension this past offseason. This contract confirms his place not just in the organization, but in major league baseball.
As the Cardinals get set for the upcoming season, McBride’s role figures to be more important than ever. Even with all that firepower the team imploded last year and somehow managed to finish second to last in the weak NFC West. Though second-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is high on him as one of the league’s top two tight ends next to Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders. This league-wide recognition is a tribute to McBride’s versatile skill set and his potential to really impact games in a serious way going forward.
Expectations for the Coming Season
As the new season looms, McBride says she’s expecting a much different approach from opposing defenses. He knows that after last year’s breakout MVP season, he’ll be the target of the team’s opponent’s top defensive schemers. “I know they will approach me differently this season,” he stated, reflecting on how he expects defenders to adapt to his style of play.
McBride’s confidence is rooted in his belief that if defenses prioritize stopping him, it could create opportunities for other players on the team. “If they focus on me, that’s problematic for them,” he explained, emphasizing his ability to break free from defenders. Last year, he put that explosive playmaking ability on display with an aggressive touchdown against the New York Jets. Later that game, he snagged a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyler Murray, showcasing his talent to shine when it’s most needed.
McBride is getting ready for season three. His passion drives him to do everything within his power to ensure that his organization’s team comes out on top. Head coach Jonathan Gannon echoed this sentiment, stating, “Whatever you got to do to win a game, honestly. I mean, that’s how I really feel.” This mentality exemplifies McBride’s commitment to individual numbers not being more important than winning games for the Cardinals.
Recognition and Impact
Her game-changing efforts have caught the attention of the league. His route-running prowess has drawn accolades from his fellow wideouts and football analysts as well. Pat Surtain II remarked, “It seems like he’s running routes like a receiver out there,” highlighting McBride’s versatility and skill set that extend beyond traditional tight end roles.
Furthermore, Surtain wanted to highlight McBride’s effectiveness as a blocker along with his ability to create explosive plays in the game’s aerial attack. “That just shows the type of player he is. He’s willing to do the dirty work,” Surtain said. This dual-threat capability makes McBride an invaluable asset for the Cardinals as they seek to improve their standing in the NFC West.
New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing went more in depth about why McBride is so distinctively placed in the offense. “It’s like OK, you can cover Trey with a corner, but is that corner now defending the run in the box? Do you usually want a safety down there?” Defenses can’t just try harder to not let McBride get the ball. He challenges them to take the hard choices that they know they need to make on their coverage plans.
Team Dynamics and Future Goals
The dynamic between McBride and quarterback Kyler Murray will be important since they’ll be moving deep into their first season together. Whether you’re talking about last season’s deep post route or a short slant, their on-field chemistry has always been above reproach. McBride will have to maintain that connection as defenders ramp up their defense against him.
So even though last season didn’t quite go according to plan, McBride’s eyes are set on bigger team-oriented prizes rather than personal achievements. In this sense, he understands what winning games at the end of the day is truly most important. Coach Gannon reinforced this philosophy by stating, “What do we need to do to win a game? And if that’s the tight end getting a bunch of balls or if that’s the tight end getting nothing, if we win the game, that’s OK.”
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