Cardinals’ Trey McBride has a hurdling problem

TEMPE — Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride swears he’s trying to stop. But like a moth to a flame, the third-year pro just can’t get away from his hurdling habits.

For a third straight game, the tight end took to the skies during the Cardinals’ 31-6 beatdown of the New York Jets.

Come for the hurdle, stay for the entirety of the play.

IT’S A BIRD. IT’S A PLANE. IT’S TREY MCBRIDE HURDLING FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS SEASON!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/bBevRNvSnu

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 10, 2024

But while McBride’s playmaking ways have led to first downs and a jolt of excitement for the Cardinals, the tight end isn’t relishing in the added publicity.

“It’s not ideal. I’m not really going into the game wanting to jump over people, but just kind of reaction out there,” McBride said Monday. “It’s been a lot of fun the last couple weeks. I don’t plan on doing it.

“I’m trying to stop, but I said that last game, too, and ended up doing it again. I’m trying to stop, but it’s been good the last couple weeks.”

Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride has a hurdling problem (in a good way).#AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/81ltO10nFl

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 11, 2024

Aside from his hurdles, McBride is on his way to a career year behind 552 yards on 49 catches (65 targets). He paces all Cardinals pass catchers in yards, receptions, targets and first downs (27).

The only thing missing from McBride’s stat line are receiving touchdowns, something quarterback Kyler Murray acknowledged after the Chicago win two weeks back. That’s not to say McBride hasn’t found pay dirt in 2024. He scored on a two-yard run two weeks ago and earlier this season scoopy and scored after a James Conner fumble against the Los Angeles Rams.

But with two near misses the past two weeks, it only seems like a matter of time before he breaks his scoreless stretch through the air.

“I think he’s the best. I’m not trying to get ahead of myself or anything or put any pressure on him,” quarterback Kyler Murray said after Sunday’s win over the Jets. “I know the work that he’s put in. I know what type of athlete he is, what type of player he is.

“It is good to see that people are taking notice of what he does each and every week when the ball is in his hands.”

Trey McBride explains the art of hurdling

While McBride doesn’t plan on hurdling in a given game, he does have a prerequisite when it comes to getting airborne:

No linebackers.

“I don’t want to jump over a linebacker, because usually the defensive backs tackle me a little bit lower. To tackle a tight end high is kind of hard, so I expect them to tackle me low.

“I kind of just run and jump and hope for the best.”

Why stop now, Trey?

McBride has seen nothing but success from his hurdles so far in 2024.

So, why stop now?

The answer is simpler than you might think.

“That one time it doesn’t work, it’s going to hurt. I don’t want that to happen, so just trying to stop before that happens,” McBride. “It’s been good, it’s been effective the last couple weeks and helped us convert a couple third downs, so it’s been fun.

“It brings a lot of juice and energy to the team and I feel like that’s very contagious.”

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