INGLEWOOD, Calif. — On Saturday night, Trey McBride achieved a notable milestone by becoming the 10th tight end in NFL history to record 100 receptions in a single season. He had a standout performance for the Arizona Cardinals, showcasing one of his best games over the course of his three-year career. However, a stroke of misfortune thwarted the Cardinals’ chances to secure a win against the Los Angeles Rams.
In the final minute of the game, Arizona found themselves with a first-and-goal situation at the 5-yard line. Unfortunately, a pass from Kyler Murray deflected off McBride’s helmet while in the end zone, landing in the hands of Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who made a crucial interception. This play ultimately clinched a 13-9 victory for Los Angeles.
Reflecting on the loss, Murray drew parallels to a similar game in 2021 against Green Bay, where his late drive ended in a game-ending interception in the end zone, allowing the Packers to secure a 24-21 win. “There have been a couple of games where we drove all the way down the field thinking we would win,” he shared. “We felt like nothing could stop us. Unfortunately, sometimes the game has a way of turning against you. We were just unlucky.”
McBride matched his career high with 12 receptions, notching 123 receiving yards, his second best in a single outing. He also made history as the first tight end in the Arizona franchise to reach the 100-catch milestone. Coach Jonathan Gannon praised McBride’s performance, stating, “He made a lot of plays. He had some excellent catch-and-runs.”
An important highlight of the game for McBride was scoring his first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard reception midway through the third quarter, narrowing the score to 10-6. However, the Cardinals missed the chance for a game-tying field goal because Chad Ryland’s extra point attempt was blocked by Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht. Gannon acknowledged the missed execution on the extra point, saying, “There were some protection issues. Hoecht did a good job, and we have to improve our technique.”
During that crucial drive, Murray attempted to connect with McBride in the end zone on two occasions prior to their successful connection. The second attempt was nullified by a holding penalty, allowing the Cardinals to reset at first-and-goal from the 1-yard line. “I think (offensive coordinator) Drew (Petzing) was calling for that moment, and I was happy to finally get it to him,” Murray remarked, expressing a desire for even more touchdowns.
Throughout the game, Murray had an impressive stat line, completing 33 of 48 passes for 321 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. McBride’s performance has been on an upward trajectory, with seven or more receptions and at least 70 receiving yards in five of their last six games. He now boasts a total of 104 receptions for 1,081 yards this season. The record for receptions by a tight end in a season is 116, held by Philadelphia’s Zach Ertz since 2018, while Kansas City’s Travis Kelce holds the yardage record with 1,416 yards in 2020.
Aside from McBride, both Gannon and Murray expressed optimism regarding rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., who tied his season high with six catches for 96 yards. Murray noted, “As a rookie, it’s important to improve every week. The game will gradually slow down for him. The on-field experiences are invaluable, and he’s developing a connection with me by learning the finer points of the game. We’ll be able to truly work on this during the offseason.”
After starting the season at 6-4 and atop the NFC West, the Cardinals have fallen to four losses in their last five games, marking their third consecutive losing season. Gannon remains hopeful, stating, “When we play our brand of football, we can compete and win against anyone. But at this moment, it doesn’t hold much weight. I know we’re close; we can see it, but we’re not quite there yet.”
