Cardinals award Trey McBride the captain’s ‘C’

TEMPE — Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride has been made a captain for the first time in his career, head coach Mike LaFleur announced on Friday.

The Cardinals came into the season with five captains: Jacoby Brissett, Hjalte Froholdt, Casey Kreiter, Mack Wilson Sr. and Budda Baker. The players voted on captains, and LaFleur said McBride came up just short of making the cut before the season started.

Brissett was traded last week to the Baltimore Ravens, and instead of rolling with four captains moving forward, Arizona will award it’s most dynamic playmaker with the “C” on his chest.

“He earned it,” LaFleur said.

“I think there’s two things about him. One, every single day he puts in the work, and the guys see that. The way he plays on Sunday, it’s how he practices, too. Maybe not as much (expletive)-talking, but nonetheless, he practices the right way. Then the second thing that is awesome about any leader, any person in general, he is himself. He’s not trying to be anyone that he’s not, and he just loves this game, he loves that locker room and he loves doing what he can do for this organization.”

LaFleur said he told the team on Wednesday before the Cardinals broke into meetings. He felt the timing was right with eight games left this season.

McBride leads the league with 73 receptions this season, and he has racked up 598 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He has led the team in catches in each of the previous three seasons, as well.

Arizona will be starting rookie quarterback Carson Beck for his NFL debut on Sunday, and McBride has made an effort to get on the same page as Beck, talking out how they see the game, route options and other aspects of a quarterback-target partnership.

Defenses are going to pay a lot of attention to McBride moving forward, even more so than usual, given the number of injuries to the wide receiver room.

“I have no idea how they’re going to play us now,” McBride said on Wednesday. “I have no idea what’s going to happen, how they’re going to scout us, whatever that is. But I’m ready for it all, and I’m excited for the challenge.”

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