Chiefs fans furious with draft pick as Cardinals star Trey McBride smashes NFL record

Dec 29, 2025 - 15:45

The Arizona Cardinals have found a superstar in Trey McBride.

The 26-year-old tight end, now in his fourth season in the NFL, made history in the Cardinals‘ 37-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday by setting the record for the most catches in a season by a tight end with 119 receptions and counting.

Trey McBride #85 of the Arizona Cardinals walks across the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium — McBride set the record for most catches in a season by a tight end

He surpassed the record set by that of 13-year pro Zach Ertz, who had 116 receptions in the 2018 season when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he finished that campaign with 1,163 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

McBride, who has been the standout player on a disappointing Cardinals team who enter Week 18 with a 3-13 record, still has one game left of the 2025 season to add to his tally.

He currently has 1,174 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns – both career-highs.

This betters his 2024 campaign, in which he came ever so close to getting the record then, although he only amassed 111 catches for 1,146 yards and two scores in the end zone in 16 outings.

This was better only by that of then-Las Vegas Raiders rookie, Brock Bowers (112 receptions, 1,194 yards, 5 touchdowns).

Revisiting the 2022 NFL draft

In light of McBride’s historic campaign, despite Arizona changing quarterbacks mid-season from former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Kyler Murray to a steady veteran presence in Jacoby Brissett, it is easy to forget that he was a second-round pick out of Colorado State.

The 6-foot-4, 246 lb tight end was a multi-sport athlete growing up, playing basketball and baseball before committing to play football in college.

Setting multiple school records, including most receptions and receiving yards by a tight end in a single season (90 receptions for 1,121 yards in 2021), McBride was the first tight end to come off the 2022 draft board, although he had to wait until the 55th overall pick to hear his name called out.

Revisiting the 2022 draft, in which the first round was particularly defense-centric, with the first five picks all being on that side of the ball, including – in order – Travon Walker, Aidan Hutchinson, Derek Stingley Jr., Sauce Gardner and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

But Kansas City Chiefs fans were alerted on Sunday to who was drafted with the 54th overall pick that year.

Trey McBride #85 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to catch a pass in front of Dax Hill #23 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium — McBride capped off his record-setting day with 76 yards and a TD

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) catches a pass for a touchdown during the game against the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium — McBride’s 11 TDs on the season is more than his previous 3 seasons combined (6 TD)

Coming off an AFC Championship defeat to Joe Burrow and the Bengals, the Chiefs held the 21st overall pick (Trent McDuffie) and 30th overall pick (George Karlaftis) before picking again at No. 54.

Having opted to bolster their defense in pursuit of avenging their Super Bowl loss, the Chiefs front office turned to giving franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes a new receiving weapon.

As such, they opted to select wide receiver Skyy Moore out of Western Michigan, despite McBride still being on the draft board.

Chiefs fans react to reminder that they could have drafted McBride

Chiefs fans were reminded of this on Sunday after McBride’s record-setting day, they sent social media into a frenzy.

View Tweet: https://t.co/6lyNWe62nX

“Hindsight,” is the only word on fan could muster on X (formerly Twitter).

“Idk one guy scored a td in the Super Bowl soooo. ( I’m coping),” another fan wrote, whilst a third added, “Trey McBride doesn’t have a ring don’t disrespect Skyy Moore.”

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 20: Skyy Moore #24 of the Kansas City runs during an NFL Football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) — WR Skyy Moore won a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season, catching a TD pass in the game itself

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Skyy Moore #9 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) — Moore is now with the 49ers after an off-season trade

“Kelce & McBride would’ve been modern day Gronk & Hernandez,” another boldly stated.

It is likely that the Chiefs opted for a receiver over a tight end as they already had a superstar, and all-time great in that position in Travis Kelce – although he was 32-years-old in 2022.

However, with the 11-time Pro Bowler’s production having drastically declined over the last two seasons, and there being a very strong degree of chance that the 2025 season will be the last of his stellar career, perhaps they could have gone with McBride after all.

Moore, who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 offseason, and is going to the playoffs once again whilst the Chiefs’ season ends prematurely – may not have had a career anywhere near that of McBride’s in terms of his statistics.

However, in his rookie season with the Chiefs, he played perhaps his most crucial – albeit small – role in Super Bowl LVII, when his one reception for four yards and a touchdown helped Kansas City emerge victorious over the Eagles in a 38-35 score game.

But, hindsight is a wonderful thing, unless you’re the Chiefs, whose fans are probably still lamenting over what could have been.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.