Some Arizona Cardinals fans might not have loved it when their team used a second-round draft pick on a tight end from Colorado State in 2022 even though Zach Ertz was already on the roster.
They are likely singing a different tune now.
“It’s funny, I get drafted, no one knows who I am and every Cardinal fan hates me because, ‘Why did we draft a tight end in the second round?’ And then three years later they all love me and I’m like the greatest thing,” Cardinals tight end Trey McBride said in a Thursday story from ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. “It’s just funny how it all works.”
McBride was a secondary contributor at best for most of his rookie season, although he received more playing time after Ertz suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 10.
He then saw another opportunity when Ertz suffered a quad injury during Week 7 of the 2023 campaign and quickly seized it. McBride established himself as one of the league’s best tight ends last year and finished with 81 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns.
Arizona ended up releasing Ertz, who is now with the Washington Commanders, in November of last year, further solidifying McBride’s role as the clear-cut starter moving forward.
The Colorado State product has taken full advantage of that trust and is on pace to put up career-highs in receptions and receiving yards this season. Through seven games, he has 42 catches for 446 yards, although he is yet to get into the end zone.
“He’s a beast,” quarterback Kyler Murray said. “I can’t say enough about Trey.
“I tell y’all every week I think he could be the best in the league. The athleticism, being able to block, he can do it all. He can do it all. He’s one of our best guys. We’ve got to continue to get him the rock.”
McBride leads the team in receiving yards and has capitalized on the additional spacing that comes when opposing secondaries double team rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
His presence is a major reason Arizona is tied for first place in the NFC West at 4-4 and riding plenty of momentum heading into Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears following two straight wins.
If he can help lead the Cardinals to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 campaign, those draft-day doubts will be even more a thing of the past.
McBride leads the team in receiving yards and has capitalized on the additional spacing that comes when opposing secondaries double team rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
His presence is a major reason Arizona is tied for first place in the NFC West at 4-4 and riding plenty of momentum heading into Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears following two straight wins.
If he can help lead the Cardinals to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 campaign, those draft-day doubts will be even more a thing of the past.
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