Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride has issued an apology for offseason remarks in which he suggested the team lacks local supporters in Arizona. Speaking with reporters on Saturday following a training camp practice in Glendale, McBride stated, Yeah, I probably shouldn't have said that,
adding that his previous comments came out wrong.
Trey McBride Walks Back Comments on Arizona Fanbase
Controversy Over “No Arizona Fans” Remark
The controversy stemmed from a June 30 appearance on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast. During the interview, McBride attributed a lack of homefield advantage to the state’s demographic of transplants.
Living in Arizona, no one’s from Arizona,
McBride said during the podcast. Everyone has kind of moved in from another state, so they’re all fans of their own teams, so now you have the Arizona that sits there and there’s no Arizona fans in Arizona.
He described the situation as a “tough deal” and expressed hope that winning more games would bring those fans back.
According to reports, the comments ruffled plenty of feathers
among the fanbase, though some fans were more focused on McBride’s discussions regarding his contract negotiations.
Impact of Team Performance on Attendance
The struggle to maintain a consistent local following is reflected in the team’s recent metrics. Last season, Arizona ranked second to last among all NFL teams in total home game attendance.
Industry analysis suggests this trend is linked to a lack of competitiveness; the Cardinals have reached the playoffs only once since 2016 and compete in a division featuring three Super Bowl contenders. McBride acknowledged this link during his podcast appearance, suggesting that winning is the primary catalyst for returning fans to the stands.
McBride’s Role and Contract Status
Despite the friction with the fanbase, McBride remains a central pillar of the Cardinals’ future plans. He is coming off a historic 2025 season in which he earned his first All-Pro nod and set a positional record for single-season catches with 126 receptions, 1,239 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
His value was a point of contention during recent contract negotiations. McBride revealed on the podcast that the team initially “lowballed” him with an offer of approximately $12 million per year, leading him to consider exploring other options. The team later offered $16 million annually (a $64 million total), before eventually signing him to a four-year, $76 million deal. This agreement made McBride the top-paid tight end in the NFL at the time, although George Kittle has since surpassed that mark.
Outlook for the 2026 Season
As the Cardinals continue training camp, the organization is looking to leverage McBride’s production and the addition of rookie running back Jeremiyah Love to drive excitement for the 2026 season.
McBride told reporters he is excited to give the fans something proud to cheer for
and believes the team is going to win games and have a great season. He concluded by describing Arizona as a “special place” and reiterated his desire to provide the community with a successful team to support.
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