Murray and McBride, meanwhile, have only gotten together for four touchdowns — tied for fourth by any Cardinals duo since McBride was drafted in 2022, per NFL Research.

However, McBride’s end zone travails (six in 49 games) have been an aberration in an otherwise outstanding start to his career.

McBride’s produced 192 receptions for 1,971 yards over the past two seasons, earning his first Pro Bowl selection last year after his first 1,000-yard campaign. He’s become Murray’s top target and security blanket, a role he relishes.

It was evident when Murray returned to action after tearing his ACL at the end of the 2022 season. In Murray’s first start of 2023, McBride hauled in eight catches for 131 yards.

“I think it was constantly doing everything that I could do in practice to make sure I was open for him,” McBride said of earning Murray’s confidence. “That first game back from his ACL — not this last season but two seasons ago. His first game back, we go for 100 and something yards in his first game back. I think just that confidence of getting back and throwing the ball and having that success with me kind of brought the confidence. It’s just going to continue to grow and continue to get better and I’m just loving our relationship.”

McBride’s individual success led to him signing a massive four-year, $76 million extension that made him (briefly) the top-paid TE. Less than a month later, the San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle surpassed him.

Both are with Kelce at the annual Tight End University. Kittle has been to multiple Super Bowls, while Kelce has won multiple Lombardi Trophies.

McBride is looking to follow in their successful footsteps as he enters a pivotal season for a Cardinals squad aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The soon-to-be fourth-year tight end believes taking the next step is in the cards as long as Murray is out there.

“It’s so much fun to me because the plays are never over with that guy,” McBride said. “You think he’s going to get tackled and he makes someone miss or does something crazy and it’s so much fun to play with him because the plays are never over. You always have a chance if Kyler has the ball in his hands.”