Trey McBride Earns 99 Madden Rating After 126-Catch Season

Q: Will Trey McBride's historic record and virtual fame be enough to win back the Cardinals fans he recently criticized?

Probably not by themselves. McBride’s production and star power help, but Cardinals fans are more likely to forgive his criticism if it is paired with winning and a clear effort to reconnect. He has the football résumé to repair some of the damage. McBride is coming off a historic 2025 season with 126 catches, 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns, setting the NFL single-season receptions record for a tight end. He has posted back-to-back 100-catch seasons, earned first-team All-Pro honors, signed a major extension, and now carries a 99 overall Madden rating. Those are the kinds of achievements that strengthen his standing as one of the franchise’s few true stars. Just as important, he has already tried to walk back the remarks. After saying on a podcast that there were essentially “no Arizona fans in Arizona,” McBride later said he “probably shouldn’t have said that,” that it “came out wrong,” and that the Cardinals have a “tremendous” and loyal fanbase. He also said he loves playing in Arizona and wants to give supporters something to be proud of. That matters, but fans usually respond more to actions than accolades. Arizona has gone 19-49 since McBride arrived, and his own original point was tied to the team’s struggles drawing visible support. If the Cardinals improve under Mike LaFleur and McBride remains the offense’s centerpiece, his apology and elite play will likely be enough to smooth things over. If the losses continue, Madden fame alone will not win anyone back.

3 articles · Updated · AZCardinals.com · Jul 27

McBride said the 99 overall grade in Madden 2027 is meaningful because he grew up playing the game, but called it an honor rather than an endpoint.
The rating follows his 2025 breakout — 126 catches, 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns — that established him as one of the NFL’s top tight ends.
At Cardinals camp, McBride said he is still chasing improvement and wants to be a consistent security blanket for his quarterback on every rep.
Mike LaFleur said McBride can succeed even when put in a bad position, underscoring why Arizona expects his role to remain central in the new offense.
Separately, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. returned to practice after Arizona activated him from the PUP list following a brief knee issue.