Arizona Cardinals sign star pass-catcher to a record-setting extension

The Arizona Cardinals signed tight end Trey McBride to a rich, four-year extension on April 3, the team announced. The deal keeps their best weapon in Arizona through 2029, following through on an ambition that general manager Monti Ossenfort acknowledged was central to his offseason plans.

A second-round pick in 2022, McBride was initially buried beneath Zach Ertz on the depth chart but emerged as a key receiving option in 2023. Last season, he became the franchise’s first Pro Bowl tight end in 54 years, finishing with 111 receptions for 1,146 yards.

McBride’s lone weakness is a lack of touchdown production. He finished with just two receiving scores last year and has not scored more than four touchdowns in a season since high school.

McBride’s extension is worth $76 million with $43 million guaranteed. That makes him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, by both total value and average annual value. In total value, his deal eclipses George Kittle’s by just $1 million.

McBride will be the Cardinals’ third-highest-paid player, behind quarterback Kyler Murray and edge rusher Josh Sweat.

(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)