Trey McBride Eyed in Surprise Trade Offer From AFC Team, New NFL Rumors on Cardinals TE

The Denver Broncos reportedly made overtures to the Arizona Cardinals with an eye toward acquiring their best player, only to be rebuffed.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport , the Broncos reached out to the Cards about superstar tight end Trey McBride, but the Cardinals "made it very clear they have zero intention of trading" him.

Schefter and Rapoport noted that the Broncos have "checked in around the league" in an effort to strengthen their tight end position, and after getting rebuffed by Arizona on McBride, Denver has now "turned its attention elsewhere."

The 26-year-old McBride is in the midst of his fifth NFL season, and he has firmly established himself as the top receiving tight end in the sport.

A two-time Pro Bowler and one-time First Team All-Pro, McBride entered this season having reached the 1,000-yard receiving plateau in back-to-back campaigns.

He is well on his way to making it three in a row with 66 receptions for 544 yards and five touchdowns through eight games in 2026.

Although the Cardinals are 3-5 and seem unlikely to make a playoff run, there is little incentive for them to trade McBride since he is signed through 2029 and will be a key piece for them if and when they turn things around.

As noted by Schefter and Rapoport, McBride is deeply rooted in the state of Colorado, as he was born about 50 miles from Denver in Greeley, Colorado, and attended Colorado State University.

Regardless of whether going back home and playing for the Broncos is compelling to McBride, Arizona holds all the cards in that equation.

While McBride appears to be staying put, the Broncos' reported pursuit of a tight end comes as little surprise.

Denver has gotten next to no production out of the position this season, as Evan Engram leads the way with 13 receptions for 136 yards, while Nate Adkins has caught three touchdowns, albeit only on six receptions.

Head coach Sean Payton has a history of utilizing tight ends to great effect in his offense with the most obvious example being Jimmy Graham during his time with the New Orleans Saints.

Finding quarterback Bo Nix a reliable tight end could potentially help unlock things for an offense that ranks 30th in the NFL in total offense and 21st in scoring offense, but McBride does not appear to be a viable option.