Trey McBride, the Arizona Cardinals’ emerging stud tight end, was emotional at a news conference Wednesday. A few wonderful weeks after that, he parlayed his pivotal play into a lovely four-year, $76 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history. The announcement was a huge personal milestone for McBride. A wave of emotion crashed over him as he considered how far he’d come—from Fort Morgan, Colorado to the top of the football world.
Now McBride is the starter at tight end. This move comes on the heels of the late October 2023 release of veteran Zach Ertz, which set the stage for the contract extension. McBride’s run of form since then has been nothing short of dynamic, as he’s used his skill and competitive spirit to dazzle on the pitch. He was humbled and grateful for the opportunity, saying, “I put my head down and I just hustled. So, I continued to grind, knowing deep down that my time would come. When it finally did though, I knew I had to jump on it.
McBride is currently on pace to be the tight end leader in receptions and first downs over the last two seasons. It’s amazing to see how he has just made himself invaluable to that team. His success, therefore, is not only a deeply personal triumph, but a point of pride for his small hometown. McBride said being the first highest-paid tight end from Fort Morgan was “just the greatest honor, really.” Impressively, he prefaced his accomplishment by discussing the distance he has traveled from his childhood.
In his poignant speech, McBride said he was happy to hear the good contract news. He called it a “sigh of relief” and “a weight off my shoulders.” Through it all, he keeps his eye on the prize, despite the weight of a long, rich contract looming over him. He keeps his work first, and money second. “I had no pressure when I was on a rookie deal, and I don’t expect any pressure now,” he remarked.
McBride’s path to the NFL has not always been easy. He’s dropped just two passes on 296 targets, which is a testament to his consistency and professionalism. Even as he doubled down on this mentality by saying, “There’s still more in the tank. I’m young.” He concluded, “I still feel like I’m just scratching the surface of what I can do.” His character and desire to get better are most important though, as he looks to take his game to the next level.
After signing the agreement, McBride was hit with a wave of emotions. He said it was all “crazy overwhelming” but acknowledged the labor that led him to this day. “I can’t wait to get started and continue to do what I do best – work hard and hustle hard,” said Donziger. He laid out the importance of holding himself and everyone else to the highest standards on and off the field.
McBride reflected on the initial days he spent in Fort Morgan. In winning, he understood the poetic way this achievement brought him whole circle. He made it clear that he was happy not just for himself, but for his family. He noted a bittersweet aspect of the announcement: “It was kind of a bummer that news of his extension leaked before he could call his parents and brother to tell them and then celebrate together.”
McBride is leaning into his new rockstar status. He gave no indication of cracking under pressure, promising fans and teammates alike that he wouldn’t allow outside expectations to control his play. “It’s really neat, and really unique,” he added with a grin. Shot up to the high, I would have never believed you if you said I was going to be the highest paid!
During the 2023 season, McBride has established herself as a go-to option for the Cardinals. His swagger—confidence in himself, his craft, his process—exudes as he gets ready to step into the future. That’s why, he said, to finally see people getting excited about bikes excites him. Now that the contract issues are behind him, he is able to put his full focus on football.
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