There were reasons -- Zach Ertz was still a Cardinal, Kyler Murray had to come back from a torn ACL -- but there was a time when Trey McBride's future was uncertain. Even he felt it.

That feels like a decade ago, not less than two years. The second half of the 2023 season, McBride became Murray's favorite target and a rising star. Last year, McBride proved elite, to the point he is in the conversation as the best tight end in the game.

So yes, he was going to be on this year's NFL Top 100 list, voted on by players. It would've been a travesty had he not. McBride was revealed as No. 65 on Wednesday morning -- before the Cardinals have their first training camp practice of 2025 -- as the second Cardinal listed.

Edge rusher Josh Sweat was previously announced as No. 95. Like Sweat, this is the first time McBride has appeared on the list.

"It's something I've grown up watching and always dreamed of being on it," McBride said after the first camp practice of the year. "To make my way on there it's cool. Hopefully I can stay on there for a long time."

McBride had 111 catches and 1,146 yards last season (only two touchdowns, but I'm guessing that will be an anomaly), statistics that led to another number: $76 million, as in his new contract extension.

He'll be on the list for the foreseeable future.

Now that the list is at 65, there is still hope (and a probability) that safety Budda Baker will show up for the Cardinals at some point. The list is being distributed on X (Twitter) twice a day until the full list is announced. Baker was the lone Cardinal on the list in 2024.