Colorado kid becomes highest-paid tight end in NFL history

Colorado State star and Fort Morgan native Trey McBride became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history on Thursday when he signed a giant contract extension.

McBride has had a stellar three-year start to his NFL career, where he built off a hot stretch in 2023 to become of the game’s best pass-catchers in 2024. The Arizona Cardinals have rewarded his efforts with a four-year, $76 million contract extension—which makes him the highest-paid player at his position at a rate of $19 million per season through 2029. Of that money $43 million is guaranteed.

McBride was a stud for the CSU Rams, catching 90 passes for 1,121 yards his senior season. He was selected with the 55th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by Arizona, the first tight end off the board in his class.

McBride is now 25 and is coming off a season where he set personal bests with 111 receptions and 1,146 yards last season. He also scored three touchdowns (two receiving). He was one of just four players, joining Jakobi Meyers, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Marvin Harrison Jr. to see 100+ targets and have a drop rate under 1% last fall.

Highest paid tight ends in the NFL

1. Trey McBride: $19M
2. Travis Kelce: $17.1M
3. TJ Hockenson: $16.5M
4. George Kittle: $15M
5. Dallas Goedert: $14.25M
6. Mark Andrews: $14M