The Arizona Cardinals and tight end Trey McBride have reached a major deal, locking him in with a four-year, $76 million extension, which includes $43 million guaranteed. This contract, which makes McBride the highest-paid tight end in the league, bumps the tight end market to a $19 million average annual value (AAV). McBride’s deal includes a $16.75 million signing bonus, and he’ll also get base salaries for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

McBride, who had a breakout season last year with over 1,100 yards, is now a key figure in the Cardinals’ offense alongside 2024 top draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. The deal is a big win for McBride, who has quickly become one of the top receiving tight ends in the NFL, and it solidifies his spot as a long-term cornerstone for the Cardinals’ future.

Even though tight ends have been far behind wide receivers in terms of pay, this new deal shows the market is slowly catching up. McBride’s performance, including impressive yardage and his role in the passing game, helped make the case for his big payday. The Cardinals are banking on him to be a key piece of their offense for years to come.