Last season, McBride actually had a rushing touchdown and a TD recovering a fumble in the end zone early in the year. But he didn't get [his first touchdown reception until the penultimate game in Los Angeles](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/trey-mcbride-shines-but-that-s-not-enough-as-cardinals-fall-to-rams), adding a second in the finale against the 49ers at home.
Having nearly 100 receptions without one for a touchdown, McBride acknowledged, "sucked."
"Hearing about it every week, being interviewed and talking about it all the time, it was frustrating, because I know what kind of player I can be and I know I can score touchdowns," McBride said.
McBride had one TD catch as a rookie when he played little. He had three his second year, when he became a top target midway through the season. Interestingly, in his final year at Colorado State, when he was arguably the best tight end in the nation and had 90 receptions, he had just one TD catch.
But that's all changed. He's up to six this season, and laments the ones he couldn't get – a couple missed connections from both Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett in the end zone, including one he lost in Seattle this past weekend when a couple of offensive linemen were illegally downfield.
Brissett said McBride's talent in the red zone starts before he even gets there. His score in Seattle (the one that counted) was exceptional, a fourth-and-6 play from the 15. Brissett's pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage, but McBride held the concentration to snare the fluttering ball and broke tackles for an improbable six points.
"We're thinking we're just going to call another first-down play (but) he goes and scores," Brissett said. "His ability to play football is just through the roof."
McBride didn't think he was going to score on the catch either, and suddenly found himself in the end zone. He went to a knee to celebrate the play. In part he was exhausted, typical for the way he's playing every down.
But it was also about giving thanks for scoring six yet again. He won't say he's on a TD heater, but he doesn't want to go through a drought like last season either.
"It has fueled me to want to score more," McBride said, "and really cherish every time I get in there."