Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride admits frustration going into season-long touchdown drought

The 2024 season brought mixed emotions for Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. His record-shattering year and Pro Bowl selection stood in stark contrast to a persistent touchdown drought that cast a shadow over his achievements.

McBride emerged as one of the NFL's premier tight ends in his third season. He finished with 111 receptions for 1,146 yards, solidifying his place among the league's elite. His reception total placed him third in the NFL, trailing only Ja'Marr Chase and Brock Bowers.

Speaking on "Good Morning Football" on Thursday, McBride shared his candid thoughts about the pressure of the scoring drought. His admission revealed the mental toll of constant questions about his lack of touchdowns.

"You know, I just I was just eager to finally score so people would get off my back and leave me alone about it, you know? We were going to score at some point. I was just tired of people asking me about it," McBride said.

The drought came to an emphatic end during the Cardinals' season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. Trey McBride showcased his athleticism with a signature hurdle attempt over safety Ji'Ayir Brown. The play electrified the home crowd and set up his eventual 2-yard touchdown reception from Kyler Murray behind Fred Warner's coverage.

Trey McBride is looking ahead

NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (Image Source: Imagn)

Trey McBride's touchdown celebration marked a perfect finale to his historic season. His 111 catches placed him ahead of Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald, who watched from the stands as his records of 109 receptions (2015, 2017) fell.

The tight end's physical playing style earned him recognition beyond the scoring column. His notorious hurdle attempts — five throughout the season — became his trademark. The Cardinals went 4-0 in games where McBride attempted a hurdle, though he later admitted on "Good Morning Football" that "the risk versus reward is not always there."

His performance drew effusive praise from Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon after the season finale.

"Honestly, his best ball is ahead of him," Gannon said.

Murray backed up his coach's assessment.

"Yeah, he can be, which is saying a lot," Murray said. "He's a beast. ... I think he's the best in the league and he'll only continue to get better as we get better together."

The final game epitomized Trey McBride's season-long impact. He caught seven passes for 65 yards against the 49ers, leading all Cardinals receivers. The 47-24 victory provided a strong finish to Arizona's 8-9 campaign. More significantly, it saw McBride surpass George Kittle's record of 216 catches by a tight end in their first three seasons, as he finished with 221 career receptions.