Trey McBride is set to remain a Cardinal for the long-term future.
Arizona inked its star tight end to a contract extension Thursday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal is set to make McBride the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
McBride has broken out as one of the league’s top tight ends over his three seasons with Arizona since being selected 55th overall by the team in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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Here’s what to know about McBride’s significant extension with the Cardinals.
MORE: The Sporting News’ latest seven-round NFL mock draft
Trey McBride contract extension details
- Years: 4
- Amount: $76 million
The Cardinals’ tight end is signing a four-year, $76 million extension with the team, per Schefter. It will include $43 million guaranteed and take him through the 2029 NFL season.
With an average annual value of $19 million, the deal also makes McBride the highest-paid tight end in league history. He’ll surpass Travis Kelce’s $17.1 AAV with the Chiefs to become the highest-paid player at his position in 2025.
McBride, 25, struggled to find the end zone in 2024, but otherwise had a strong year. He claimed his first career 1,000-yard season, becoming an elite weapon for quarterback Kyler Murray.
With McBride locked in with the Cardinals alongside wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the team has its offensive weapons in place for Murray as it seeks to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Trey McBride stats
Here’s a look at McBride’s career numbers with the Cardinals:
| Season | Games | Receptions | Rec. yards | AVG | TDs |
| 2022 | 16 | 29 | 265 | 9.1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 17 | 81 | 825 | 10.2 | 3 |
| 2024 | 16 | 111 | 1,146 | 10.3 | 2 |
| Totals: | 49 | 221 | 2,236 | 10.1 | 6 |
MORE: Details on Geno Smith’s contract extension with the Raiders
Highest-paid tight ends in NFL history
Based on average annual value, McBride will become the highest-paid tight end in NFL history by earning $19 million per year.
Here’s a look at largest contracts given to tight ends all-time based on AAV, according to Spotrac:
| Rank | Player | Team | Years of deal | Total contract value | AAV |
| 1 | Trey McBride | Cardinals | 2025-29 | $76 million | $19 million |
| 2 | Travis Kelce | Chiefs | 2024-25 | $34.25 million | $17.13 million |
| 3 | Darren Waller | Raiders | 2022-24 | $51 million | $17 million |
| 4 | T.J. Hockenson | Vikings | 2024-27 | $66 million | $16.5 million |
| 5 | George Kittle | 49ers | 2021-25 | $75 million | $15 million |
| 6 | Travis Kelce | Chiefs | 2022-25 | $57.25 million | $14.31 million |
| 7 | Dallas Goedert | Eagles | 2022-25 | $57 million | $14.25 millon |
| 8 | Mark Andrews | Ravens | 2022-25 | $56 million | $14 million |
| 9 | Evan Engram | Jaguars | 2023-25 | $41.25 million | $13.75 million |
| 10 | David Njoku | Browns | 2022-25 | $54.75 million | $13.69 million |
