Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride woke up on October 26 with a familiar itch. The impulse every NFL player feels when facing game-day’s routine and adrenaline. But instead of gearing up in the early hours for tape, game plan, and chaos, McBride found himself facing a slow Sunday. Feeling a sense of apprehension, he checked his phone and posted a question and a confession.

“What does everyone do on Sunday’s? Feel a little out of place this morning ..”

That’s the vibe when your team’s on bye and you’re raring to hit the field. McBride isn’t the type who chills on off days. The Cardinals also happened to land on their bye on National Tight Ends Day, of all dates. So, while other tight ends celebrated, McBride was stuck watching highlights. No helmet, no huddle, just waiting for the next week to show up. And he has a good reason to do so. 

Sure, the Cardinals are going 2-5 into their bye. But that’s not a yardstick to hold up against how well he has been playing. Even with starting quarterback Kyler Murray reeling from a foot injury in Week 5, McBride has managed to make clutch catches from backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett. So far, he’s already logged 47 catches for 421 yards and hauled in four touchdowns, leading the team in receptions. But how does a team star handle a quiet day while the majority of the league is suiting up? 

Well, he’s still figuring it out and asking for advice. But he could very well spend the day watching the other teams battle it out while waiting for Week 9 to arrive. McBride’s social posts aren’t just about missing a game, though. They’re about missing what National Tight Ends Day means in NFL culture. That’s exactly why this is not the first time McBride’s spoken up about it.

Trey McBride’s spotlight gets stolen by the bye week

Tight ends in the league don’t always get a ton of love. National Tight Ends Day? Created to fix that. Across the league, stars like George Kittle, Jake Ferguson, and Travis Kelce will throw down wild plays and get spotlighted by the league. Trey McBride can only watch it all happen from his home. Not ideal. Which is exactly why he had also previously put up another post on X, noting:

“Having a bye week on national tight ends day shouldn’t be allowed …”

This hits particularly hard, seeing how McBride got to shine on this occasion last season. In Week 8 of the 2024 season against the Miami Dolphins, McBride tormented the defense for 124 yards across 9 catches, making it one of his best outputs last season.

League scheduling isn’t personal. But sometimes, like this week, it feels that way. Cardinals’ faithful felt the pain on social media, picking up on McBride’s restlessness. Arizona’s bye week has offered physical rest, and the added optimism around Kyler Murray’s return in Week 9. But for McBride, who’s been playing bigger every week, missing the extra attention of Week 8 stings.

Trey McBride’s focus is already on next Sunday. For now, he will just have to watch the others play and maybe shoot out a few more disgruntled posts.