Trey McBride says he and Kyler Murray can be Cardinals’ version of Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce duo

Trey McBride had a breakout 2024 season, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and securing a four-year, $76 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals. Now, as he continues to rise among the league’s top tight ends, McBride is setting his sights even higher — on becoming the next Travis Kelce.

Speaking this week from Tight End University, an annual summit for NFL tight ends founded by Kelce, George Kittle and Greg Olsen, McBride shared how a recent conversation with the Kansas City Chiefs star reshaped his mindset.

“Travis, he would always give us his nuggets on being friendly to the quarterback,” McBride said during an ESPN segment. “Make sure you and your quarterback are on the same page. He plays with a little freedom. Him and Mahomes have a nice connection and I kind of took that and was like, ‘Why can’t Kyler and I have that same connection?’ I feel like that’s what I’ve tried to do. I’ve tried to have that same relationship and that growth with Kyler and just continue to make plays for him and be that security blanket where if he needs somewhere to go with the ball, he always can throw it to me and that’s what I’m trying to do for him.”

McBride’s aspirations come at a critical time for the Cardinals. Quarterback Kyler Murray, entering his seventh NFL season, has been the subject of offseason scrutiny, with many analysts calling 2025 a “prove-it” year. Murray’s talent has never been in doubt, but consistency, health, and leadership have been questioned.

Fortunately for Arizona, the supporting cast has improved. Along with McBride’s continued emergence, the team has former first round pick Marvin Harrison Jr., Zay Jones and Michael Wilson, providing Murray with arguably his best arsenal yet.

“The Los Angeles Rams are the NFC West favorite in many eyes, but the Cardinals have enough firepower to make it an intriguing race. There’s also the third-place schedule Arizona will face, giving it a trio of easier games (in theory, at least) over the Rams in the divisional race,” SI's Matt Verderame said.

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The Cardinals haven’t made the playoffs since 2021, but with a favorable schedule and a roster full of young talent, there’s real optimism in the desert. McBride’s chemistry with Murray could be the x-factor — especially if it evolves into something reminiscent of Kelce and Mahomes.

If that connection forms, don’t count the Cardinals out in a competitive NFC West.