Coming off a career-best season in 2024, the Arizona Cardinals made Trey McBride the highest-paid tight end in the league this offseason.
McBride was selected 55th overall by the Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft and is entering the last year of his rookie deal.
Trey McBride’s Contract and Salary
Arizona locked McBride in on a four-year deal worth $76 million that runs through 2029. His contract’s annual average value of $19 million set an NFL record for the highest-paid tight end, overtaking Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce’s $17.1 million.
While McBride’s contract will take effect in 2026, he is set to earn a base salary of $5.4 million, a signing bonus of $16.5 million, and a workout bonus of $100,000 in 2025 while carrying a cap hit of $9.5 million and a dead cap value of $32.9 million.
Here’s the breakdown of his base salary over the next years:
- 2026: $3 million
- 2027: $10 million
- 2028: $18.5 million
- 2029: $16 million
McBride has spent his entire career with the Cardinals. He was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and posted 29 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown as a rookie. He improved to 825 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 before recording 111 receptions for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns last season, which led to a Pro Bowl appearance.
Trey McBride’s Net Worth and Career Earnings
McBride’s net worth in 2025 is estimated to be $7 million. However, it’s comparatively a low estimate considering the massive extension he signed.
McBride has generated $5.7 million in NFL earnings and also earns through brand endorsements and sponsorships. He has partnered with brands like Oregano’, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Invisalign so far.
On his path to the NFL Draft, McBride was used to defying convention. One of five siblings born to two mothers from four sperm donor biological fathers, the Colorado State tight end battled convention, prejudice, and preconception since arriving in Fort Morgan.
His elder brother, Toby McBride, was a defensive lineman at Colorado State, helping ensure a smooth transition from Fort Morgan to Fort Collins. While some true freshmen struggle to find their feet early in their college careers, McBride was able to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact for the Rams.
During his freshman season in 2018, he tallied 45 receptions for 560 yards and four touchdowns. His production dropped as a sophomore, but in 2021, McBride had a career-best season with 90 receptions for 1,121 yards and one touchdown, solidifying him as one of the best tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class.
While McBride wasn’t picked in the first round, it’s safe to say the Cardinals got a steal in the second round and are now rewarding him with a well-deserved lucrative contract.