The Houston Texans pulled off a blockbuster trade for Marvin Harrison Jr. after their Week 5 win over the Tennessee Titans, avoiding a 0-5 start to the year. But Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans spilled the beans way too early, completely wrecking the Arizona Cardinals’ carefully laid plans for announcing the star receiver’s move.
A Plan Up in Smoke
Ryans told reporters in his post-game presser that the Texans had indeed traded for Harrison from the Cardinals. The problem? ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reports that Ryans actually ruined the Cardinals’ announcement strategy. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort, according to Nick Caserio, didn’t want to tell Harrison his destination until after Arizona’s game against the Detroit Lions. They were hoping to play that entire afternoon game before dropping the news.
The “Oops” Moment
Ryans didn’t wait. His announcement came shortly after the Texans’ 1:00 p.m. EST game against the Titans, a full few hours before the Cardinals ever planned to make it public. In fact, as Ryans was talking, the Cardinals’ game against the Lions was just starting up. Harrison knew a trade was coming, sure, but he didn’t know *which team* he was joining. That quote from Ryans,”You guys want to know? Huh? Yes, alright, we traded for Marvin Harrison”,might have been the very first time Harrison actually heard where he was headed. Even though the Texans were the team rumored, nothing was confirmed until Ryans just blurted it out.
Look, the actual trade didn’t change. The Texans still coughed up a second-round pick and a seventh-rounder to get Harrison from the Cardinals. That deal is done. But Ryans definitely threw a wrench in the Cardinals’ meticulously crafted announcement. It was a classic “oops” moment for the ages.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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