For the Arizona Cardinals, there will be at least one high-profile offensive player on the field when they face the Denver Broncos in Week 7 of the 2026 season on Sunday. Cardinals tight end Trey McBride will face the Broncos for just the second time in his NFL career, and his path to the NFL comes straight from Colorado.
McBride was a three-sport (basketball, baseball, football) athlete out of Fort Morgan High School, and went to college in Fort Collins, playing football at Colorado State University. From 2018-21, McBride played in 40 career games, with 164 catches for 2,100 yards and 11 total touchdowns with the Rams.
From there, McBride was a second round pick (55th overall) of the Cardinals for the 2022 NFL draft. Since then, McBride has been
an extremely reliable and durable target for quarterbacks from Kyler Murray to Jacoby Brissett, playing in 72 out of a possible 74 games in four years and change with Arizona. His offensive impact is just highlighted by his inclusion in the elusive 99 Club in the 2026 Madden video game earlier this year.
Broncos coach Sean Payton spoke about McBride's impact on offense, especially with the absence of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who was traded to the Houston Texans, and the likely absence of running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle).
"Clearly he reminds me a lot of [Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock] Bowers, these unique skill set tight ends that can get matched up on safeties or even corners," Payton said on Wednesday. "He has really good feel, really good transition, and they’re doing a really good job of moving him around. When you just look at the hit numbers, [No.] 85 [McBride], [No.] 14 [wide receiver Michael Wilson]. When you look at the targets, those two both are combining for a lot.”
While it is not known if McBride will draw slot corner Ja'Quan McMillian or Jahdae Barron, the Broncos will certainly have their hands full with the Colorado export.
Hopefully, McBride's impact can be limited in just his second game against his hometown team.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos prepare to face superstar Colorado export Trey McBride
