The debate over who reigns supreme at the tight end position entering the 2026 NFL season has officially been settled. Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride has been voted the No. 1 tight end in the NFL, according to a preseason survey conducted by a panel of eight Associated Press Pro Football Writers. McBride's dominant rise ends George Kittle’s recent monopoly on the consensus top spot.
The Apex: Trey McBride's Rise
McBride secured his crown after a historic 2025 campaign that rewrote the record books. The Cardinals weapon set the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end, hauling in 126 catches for 1,239 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. His ability to operate as both a vertical threat and a reliable chain-mover made him the focal point of Arizona's passing attack, earning him five of the eight first-place votes from the AP panel.
"McBride didn't just break the receptions record; he broke the blueprint of what a modern tight end can do."
The AP Top 5 Tight End Rankings
The AP panel used a descending points system to rank the league's top five tight ends. Here is how the vote shook out:
| Rank | Player | Team | First-Place Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trey McBride | Arizona Cardinals | 5 |
| 2 | George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers | 3 |
| 3 | Brock Bowers | Las Vegas Raiders | - |
| 4 | Sam LaPorta | Detroit Lions | - |
| 5 | Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons | - |
The Dynastic Threat & The Young Guard
While San Francisco's George Kittle claimed the remaining three first-place votes, the real story lies in the youth movement dominating the position. Second-year stars Brock Bowers and Sam LaPorta secured the third and fourth spots, demonstrating a rapid passing of the torch. With Atlanta's Kyle Pitts rounding out the top five, the NFL's tight end landscape is younger, faster, and more productive than ever before.
