Cardinals’ Trey McBride sets NFL record for most catches by a TE in Week 17

Dec 14, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (49) celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

GLENDALE – It seems every week a record is being broken by Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. The newly voted two-time Pro Bowler is having one the best tight end seasons in NFL history, which was cemented in Week 17 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. McBride was only eight catches away from passing Zach Ertz for the most catches by a tight end in a single season.

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Despite the lopsided score, McBride and the Cardinals were still playing with some grit. On the team’s final offensive drive, quarterback Jacoby Brissett found his tight end for catch No. 117 and the record.

McBride’s record-breaking catch:

Much in McBride’s fashion, he would continue to play hard even after the record. Brissett slinged up a high arcing 18-yard pass to McBride in the endzone for a touchdown to end Sunday’s game. The 26-year-old has already shattered every franchise record for touchdown receptions, catches and is catching up to Jackie Smith for the most receiving yards by Cardinals tight end.

McBride is in line to be Arizona’s first-team All Pro since 2020 and take the mantle as the best tight end in the NFL. Despite the team’s record, the third-year Cardinals tight end remains motivated as ever to continue his greatness by increasing his lead on the record and catching more in the season finale vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports