NFL opens investigation after referee gets into it with Trey McBride over pass interference no-call

Cardinals tight end Trey McBride and a referee got into it late in Arizona’s Week 4 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, and the NFL has opened an investigation.

Following a third down attempt late in the fourth quarter that saw McBride and his defender get tangled up, he and side judge Jeff Seeman went back and forth on the non-call for defensive pass interference.

But it was how Seeman ended the interaction that has the league getting involved.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the NFL is “reviewing the situation in which an official appears to use profanity” at McBride.

An NFL ref appeared to say “F*ck you!” twice to Trey McBride during the Cardinals-Giants game 👀

https://t.co/ZLqwBsWtxD

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 4, 2026

He’s definitely not saying “vacuum.”

McBride waved off Seeman after the side judge’s profanity before pointing at the camera to show it was all caught on tape.

More on the NFL opening an investigation

The NFLPA also released a statement of its own on Sunday.

“This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable,” NFLPA executive director JC Tretter said on social media. “Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”

Arizona Sports reached out to the NFL for comment on the referee’s action.

The tight end finished with seven catches on 12 targets for 31 yards. It was his lowest output of the year as Arizona’s comeback bid fell short once again.

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