When the Denver Broncos defense takes the field this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, the scouting report will center on a familiar face with deep local roots. Trey McBride, the standout from Fort Morgan and former Colorado State star, returns to his home state not just as a local hero, but as one of the most prolific offensive weapons in the NFL. For the Broncos, the task of slowing down McBride coincides with National Tight Ends Day, a timing that serves as a stark reminder of the franchise’s long-standing struggle to identify and develop a comparable talent at the position.
At 26 years old, McBride has quickly established himself as a premier all-around tight end. Through the first six games of the current season, he is tied with Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at the top of the NFL’s receptions list with 49 catches. His impact goes beyond raw volume, as his versatility forces opposing coordinators into difficult personnel decisions. McBride has recorded 361 yards and three touchdowns this season, following a breakout 2023 campaign where he hauled in 126 passes for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Denver’s defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph, identified McBride as a “joker”—a player whose skill set allows an offense to manipulate defensive groupings. Joseph noted that McBride allows the Cardinals to utilize heavy personnel groupings, such as 13 personnel, while maintaining the flexibility of a wide receiver-led passing game. “He can get big on you, but that big can go small with the pass game,” Joseph said this week, highlighting the difficulty in matching up against a player who possesses both size and refined transition skills.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton echoed these sentiments, comparing McBride’s unique skill set to that of Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers. Payton noted that these types of tight ends are particularly dangerous because they can be matched up effectively against safeties and even cornerbacks, creating constant mismatches. The irony of McBride’s success is not lost on local observers; he was available during the 2022 NFL Draft when Denver lacked a first-round pick due to the Russell Wilson trade. While Denver eventually selected All-Pro outside linebacker Nik Bonitto at No. 64—nine picks after McBride went to Arizona at No. 55—the choice reflects a successful pick for the defense while leaving a void on the offensive side of the ball.
The statistical disparity between McBride and the current Broncos tight end room is significant. While McBride alone has 49 catches this year, the entire Broncos tight end group—including Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins—has combined for just 18 catches, 180 yards, and three touchdowns. Even in 2023, which marked the best statistical year for Denver’s tight ends under Payton, McBride’s individual production outperformed the entire Broncos group by 48 catches, 520 yards, and eight touchdowns.
Payton’s offensive philosophy has historically relied on dynamic tight ends to unlock the full potential of his system, citing his past success in New Orleans with players like Jeremy Shockey, Jimmy Graham, and Ben Watson. Currently, Denver relies on the reliability of Trautman and Adkins, players who provide a predictable baseline of performance but lack the explosive, matchup-dominating traits of elite weapons. The team also holds a developmental prospect in Caleb Lohner and has integrated Evan Engram, who has provided some big plays but has not yet evolved into the top-tier weapon Denver has sought for over a decade.
The challenge of finding such a player has been exacerbated by draft positioning. Denver watched as potential stars like Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren were selected at No. 10 and No. 14, respectively, while the Broncos held the No. 20 pick in the 2025 cycle. Historically, while stars like George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Tucker Kraft were found in the middle rounds, the modern NFL trend is increasingly seeing the most versatile tight ends off the board early.
As the trade deadline approaches, the lack of a dynamic option may force Denver to look elsewhere. Speculation has naturally turned toward disgruntled or high-value players on other rosters, such as Detroit’s Sam LaPorta, who recently expressed frustration regarding his contract status. While such a deal remains a long shot, the necessity of a “McBride-lite” archetype remains a priority for an offense looking to reach its next gear. For now, the Broncos must find a way to contain the very archetype they lack, as McBride returns to Colorado to prove why he is the standard they have yet to meet.
