Arizona Cardinals fans haven’t had much to cheer for in 2025. After a tough start, former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray was benched, likely leading to the end of his time with the franchise. On top of that, last year’s first-round rookie, Marvin Harrison Jr., failed to take a step forward before an injury interrupted his second season.

But despite all that, one player on the team not only delivered every single week, but did so in record-breaking fashion. Amid all that miserableness, tight end Trey McBride managed to set the record for most catches by a tight end in a single season.

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McBride, 26, managed that feat after hauling in his 117th catch of the year during the team’s 37-14 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. The record-setting catch wasn’t all that exciting, as McBride simply ran a quick comeback route with the team trailing 37-7 with under five minutes to play.

It was far from the most impressive catch of the day for McBride, who scored later on that drive to make it 37-14.

His best catch, however, may have come early in the fourth quarter. Following a tipped pass at the line, McBride had to come back for the ball and leap between four Bengals defenders to prevent an interception. He came down with the catch, adding to his eventual record-setting total.

It was not a guarantee McBride would break the record in Week 17 — which was previously held by former Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz, who caught 116 passes with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016. McBride entered the week with 109 receptions, needing eight to break the record.

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After a slow start — McBride had just two catches for 18 yards at halftime — the tight end got it going in the second half. He finished the contest with 10 receptions for 76 yards and a score. His 119 catches stand as the new single-season tight end record … until he adds to it next week.

While McBride was likely to pick up eight catches over the final two weeks, the fact that he managed to break Ertz’s record in Week 17 makes the feat even more impressive. McBride hauled in his 117th catch in his 16th game of the season. Ertz also accomplished the feat in 16 games, as the NFL didn’t play a 17-game regular season back in 2016.

After a slow rookie season in 2022, McBride emerged as one of the best tight ends in the game. While touchdowns eluded him in both 2023 and 2024, McBride exploded for at least 11 scores this season, cementing his status as one of the game’s best at the position.