The Associated Press just dropped their rankings for NFL tight ends, and let me tell you, Arizona’s Trey McBride isn’t just on the list, he’s at the very top. He snagged five first-place votes from eight pro football writers, cementing his status as the premier tight end heading into the 2026 season. Only San Francisco’s George Kittle even sniffed a first-place vote, showing just how dominant McBride was in the eyes of the experts.
The Raw Numbers Don’t Lie
You wanna talk production? AP’s Rob Maaddi didn’t just dub him “the most productive tight end in the NFL” for kicks, he laid out the facts. McBride’s 126 receptions in 2025? That’s not just a career-high, it’s the most any tight end has ever recorded in a single season. Think about that for a second. Ever! He wasn’t just catching everything, he was racking up serious yardage too, with 1,239 receiving yards, which was also tops among tight ends for the 2025 season.
And it wasn’t just short stuff. This dude made plays *after* the catch, snagging 566 yards after reception, again, best in the league for TEs in 2025. Eleven receiving touchdowns tied him for the most in 2025, putting him right there with Philadelphia’s Dallas Goedert. Leading all tight ends in catches for first downs? Yeah, that kind of production earned him a First-Team All-Pro nod for 2025, and nobody should be surprised.
Consistency is King
It’s not a one-year fluke either. McBride has been consistently putting up monster numbers, reeling in more than 110 catches and at least 1,146 receiving yards for two seasons straight now. We’re talking 2024 and 2025, showing this isn’t just some flash in the pan. The guy’s a certified weapon.
And get this, in games where he had a legitimate starting quarterback, not just Josh Dobbs or Clayton Tune under center, McBride has been a machine. Over the past three seasons, he’s averaged 7.1 catches for 71.3 receiving yards per game. That’s consistent, high-level production no matter who’s throwing him the ball, as long as it’s not a complete backup situation. This guy is a true difference-maker.
So heading into the 2026 season, the question isn’t “is Trey McBride good?” It’s “how much better can he get?” He’s already etched his name in the record books and proven he’s the top dog. Cardinals fans have to be absolutely buzzing. We’re all watching to see if he can break his own reception record and keep that All-Pro status locked down.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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