DENVER – Earlier in training camp, Jonathan Gannon was recalling a conversation he had with defensive coordinator Nick Rallis about dealing with Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride during practice.
"Nick, you better put two (defenders) on him or he's going to wreck every practice," Gannon would say.
Rallis would respond that he couldn't devote two cover guys on a tight end every play. Gannon would concede the point and then think, "We're getting killed."
That's what happens with an elite player like McBride. And why something similar happened on Thursday, when the Cardinals had their joint practice with the Broncos prior to Saturday's preseason game and McBride indeed wrecked the Denver defense much of the morning.
"Me and Kyler had a great connection today," McBride said. "I was happy with the way the offense played, and like I said, it's never as good as you think, it's never as bad as you think."
However the Cardinals end up sorting through their offensive performance, McBride could be proud of his homecoming. The Fort Morgan native and long-time Broncos fan has been back already, having played in Denver as a rookie in 2022 and again in the 2024 preseason.
But those visits were before McBride had his 111-catch season, before he earned a $76 million contract extension, before he elevated himself into one of the best tight ends in the league.
McBride called the practice at the Broncos facility "surreal," and shook his head when he was asked if he thought he was the best tight end in the NFL.
"I think I'm a great tight end and for what we do in this offense, I think I do a good job," McBride said. "But there are a lot of great tight ends in the league and just to be considered one of the top ones is a huge honor."
No game planning is going into preseason games, much less a joint practice. Wed that with an elite talent, and McBride was likely to shine on this day in Denver.
"Those guys are really a quarterback's friend," Broncos head coach Sean Payton said of great tight ends like McBride. "When you get one, they're hard to find. They're valuable."
The NFC West has had its excellent tight ends. Gannon may fret about McBride wrecking a practice, but the Cardinals also come out ahead in learning how to deal with such a monster for the future.
As a defensive coach, Gannon noted there are more "tools" for defenses to deal with wide receivers than tight ends.
"There are ways you can do it, but it is taking away typically the structure of the defense," he said. "I'm glad we go against a player like that because we're going to see it. They are in our division, they are scattered through the league. Might not be as sexy as a receiver, but it can kill you."
Even with the expectations on wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals are counting on McBride doing more "killing." As good as McBride was last season, quarterback Kyler Murray said he thinks McBride can level up again this year.
"Respect to the guys who have been doing it over the years," Murray said, "but I think his name will probably be in the rafters (at State Farm Stadium) when he is done here."
Take a look at the best images from the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos joint Training Camp Practice before their 2025 Week 2 Preseason matchup, presented by Desert Financial
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) with Peyton Manning during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Royce Newman (71) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Elijah Simmons (96) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mykal Walker (43) and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
The Arizona Cardinals during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Travis Vokolek (81) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Oscar Cardenas (45) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
The Arizona Cardinals during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon and Sean Payton during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Footballs during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) with Peyton Manning during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and Sean Payton during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe (44) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
The Arizona Cardinals during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Royce Newman (71) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jon Gaines II (59) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune (15) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei'Trel Clark (13) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jake Curhan (64) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Nate McCollum (39) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman L.J. Collier (91) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
