The Arizona Cardinals are officially moving on from 2024 fourth overall pick, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., sending him to the Houston Texans in a multi-pick deal. This isn’t just a player changing teams; it’s a former top-5 pick getting shipped out after less than three full seasons, a real head-scratcher until you look at his early 2026 numbers.
Harrison’s Arizona Struggles Led to a Quick Exit
Harrison Jr.’s time in Arizona just didn’t pan out the way anyone expected for a talent drafted so high. Early in the 2026 season, with the Cardinals sitting at 1-3, he had only managed five catches for 85 yards and one touchdown. Think about that: a guy picked fourth overall, tied for sixth in receptions on his own team, behind players like tight end Trey McBride (33 catches), Michael Wilson (25), Kendrick Bourne (13), rookie Jeremiyah Love (11), and Tyler Allgeier (10). His Cardinals career overall saw him pull in 108 catches for 1,578 yards and 13 scores on 202 targets, trailing McBride and Wilson in that category too. Rumors about a trade had been swirling all weekend, and it looks like his inactive status during the Cardinals’ game against the Detroit Lions sealed the deal.
C.J. Stroud’s Excitement and the Ohio State Reunion
The news broke on Sunday, right after the Texans grabbed their first win of the year, a 26-3 smackdown of the Tennessee Titans. Texans head coach confirmed the trade, and you know who was hyped? None other than Houston QB C.J. Stroud, Harrison’s former Ohio State teammate. When asked about it, Stroud just smiled and said, “You want to know more? I don’t know what more I can tell you. I think he’s a great guy, think he’s a great player, and I’m excited to get him here.” That’s the kind of confidence you love to hear from a quarterback about his new target. Stroud knows what Harrison can do, having played with him in 2021 and 2022 at Ohio State. Aditi Kinkhabwala from CBS Sports even reported that Stroud called Harrison an “amazing talent,” a “great teammate,” and “one of the hardest workers he’s ever known.” Stroud also believed Harrison “still believes in what he can do” and that “sometimes a fresh start can be really good.” Sounds like a vote of extreme confidence to me.
This reunion is a big deal because these two tore it up together in college. In 2022, with Stroud slinging the ball, Harrison set or tied career-highs with 77 receptions, 1,263 receiving yards, and 14 receiving touchdowns. The Texans clearly need another wide receiver to step up for Stroud, and if these two can even get close to replicating their Ohio State magic, Houston’s offense could see a dramatic improvement. This isn’t just a trade; it’s a chance for a fresh start for Harrison and a potential massive boost for the Texans as they look to build on their first win. What can these two accomplish now that they are back together? The league is definitely watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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