Trey McBride thought of exploring his options after Cardinals’ initial contract offer

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride had thoughts about potentially playing elsewhere during his contract negotiations with the franchise last year.

In an interview on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, McBride spoke on being the highest-paid tight end at the time at $19 million per year and how Arizona’s first offer was far from what he was expecting to sign for.

“The first offer was actually way lower,” McBride said. “It was like ($12 million). The Cardinals are a tough deal. Then I was like it might not be the Cardinals. Maybe I go somewhere else. Maybe I play my last year and kind of explore my options.

“Finally, they wanted to get it done and I knew I wanted to be the highest paid at the time. … I really wanted ($20 million), but we couldn’t get them up to $20 million.”

For what it’s worth, tight ends in the $12 million average range include Chicago’s Cole Kmet, Dallas’ Jake Ferguson, Jacksonville’s Brenton Strange and Pittsburgh’s Pat Freiermuth, according to OverTheCap.

An offer that followed ended up being closer to what McBride wanted at $16 million per year. It was “life-changing” money for the tight end, who thought about taking the deal. His agent, however, said hold the line in hopes for getting $20 million or close to it.

Good thing the Cardinals came back to the negotiating table on the four-year extension, as McBride cemented himself as one of the franchise’s cornerstones following a record-setting season from both an NFL and franchise standpoint.

Among the records McBride broke last year included becoming the first tight end to ever record consecutive 100-catch seasons. He also passed Cardinals great Jackie Smith’s single-season touchdown mark.

Had he not signed that deal, this could have been a very different offseason, which has already seen plenty of change.

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Instead, McBride is under contract through 2029. Now, the full focus is on replicating his breakout season with offensive-minded head coach Mike LaFleur now running the show.

As for that highest-paid tight McBride sought out in negotiations?

It only took four weeks for San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle to surpass McBride’s average earnings by $100,000.

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