Record-Setting Deal: Arizona Cardinals lock in Trey McBride as NFL’s Highest-Paid Tight End

The Arizona Cardinals have solidified their commitment to rising star Trey McBride, signing the Pro Bowl tight end to a four-year, $76 million contract extension that will keep him with the franchise through 2029.

The deal, which includes $43 million guaranteed, elevates the 25-year-old to the NFL’s highest-paid tight end with an average annual salary of $19 million, surpassing Kansas City Chiefs veteran Travis Kelce ($17.1 million) and retired New York Giants standout Darren Waller ($17 million).

Drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft as Arizona’s first selection that year, McBride has spent his entire career with the Cardinals. After two steady seasons, he exploded in 2024 with career-best numbers: 111 receptions, 1,146 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. His durability and production were unmatched on the team, starting all 16 games he played and leading the Cardinals in both receptions and yards. This performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, cementing his status as a cornerstone of Arizona’s offense.

McBride’s record-setting contract reflects his rapid ascent and the Cardinals’ confidence in his long-term impact. He now tops a list of elite tight ends that includes Minnesota’s T.J. Hockenson ($16.5 million/year) and San Francisco’s George Kittle ($15 million/year). The deal also underscores the evolving market for the position, as McBride’s $19 million average dwarfs the previous benchmarks.

For Arizona, the extension signals a strategic investment in a homegrown talent poised to anchor their offensive rebuild. As McBride enters his prime, the Cardinals are betting his blend of reliability and explosiveness will drive their resurgence in the NFC West.