GLENDALE – The biggest uproar of the NFL’s 2025 first-team All-Pro selections has to be with Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. The two-time Pro Bowler had a historic fourth season in Arizona, most notably breaking the All-Time single-season reception record for a tight end. Despite that, one voter didn’t think McBride was good enough for first-team honors, selecting San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, who played in 11 games.
The 26-year-old fell one vote short, 49 out of 50, from receiving the prestige honors of being unanimous first-team All-Pro, which only three players this season earned. Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe was one of the many outrage on the news, and on his podcast “Nightcap”, he had some choice words to that one voter.
Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Former NFL football player Shannon Sharpe in attendance of the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sharpe goes off on voter:
Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco went back-and-forth just berating the voter for his questionable decision. The only argument for Kittle would be winning matters and taking into account blocking. Cardinals had three wins, and the 49ers had 12. McBride rarely lines up to block, while Kittle is considered the best blocking tight end in the NFL.
However, for All-Pro awards, it’s an individual award. Team success matter, and despite Kittle being a better blocker, he isn’t 69 catches and 611 receiving yards better of a blocker than McBride. The fourth-year Cardinals tight end had double the amount of catches and nearly double the amount of receiving yards as the seven-time Pro Bowler.
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) reacts after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Sharpe called the decision “ridiculous” and went off for over three minutes. The Hall of Famer compared it to Shaq or Lebron never getting unanimous votes, which is high praised for McBride. Despite not being unanimous, McBride is still first-team All-Pro and is only at the beginning of his prime. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn that unanimous first-team All-Pro honors, with this year being great motivation.
Cardinals Trey McBride stolen unanimous first-team All-Pro honors in 2025
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
