GLENDALE – Despite the offensive struggles in the Arizona Cardinals 20-13 Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints, the connection between QB Kyler Murray and TE Trey McBride remain strong. The pair connected six time for 61 yards. Murray faced multiple third downs and constantly looked for McBride to bail him out.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The most noticeably example was on Arizona’s last scoring drive. After back-to-back incompletions to McBride to start the drive, Murray was deep in his own territory and faced a third-and-10. Despite the two fails beforehand, the 28-year-old wasn’t deterred and stepped up strong in the pocket to deliver a dot to McBride, who did the rest of the work himself.
Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes the ball to tight end Trey McBride (85) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Murray on connection with McBride:
“For the two previous plays before before the [third-down catch] was two incompletions to start the drive, and then third down, that was huge. To throw the ball short of the sticks, Trey can get [yards after the catch]. That speaks to his ability with the ball in his hands.”
Sep 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) reacts to making first down against New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
McBride caught the ball five yards away from the first down, and if he fell short, would give the ball back to the Saints in a one possession game. The Pro Bowl tight end didn’t falter to the contact and hammered home to the first down.
Murray had a similar situation, on a third-and-14, avoided the initial pressure stepped forward in the pocket to sling in a 25-yard pass to McBride for the first down. Despite facing pressure all night from the impressive New Orleans front, Murray was able to navigate through it because of how quick and easy McBride finds the holes in the defense.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
