Marvin Harrison Jr.'s time in Arizona is drawing to a close. The Cardinals are finalizing a trade involving the third-year wide receiver, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday, October 10 — though the deal is not official yet and his destination has not been announced. The Houston Texans are the reported favorites, which would reunite Harrison with his former Ohio State quarterback, C.J. Stroud.
The news broke Saturday morning, per Schefter, with Rapoport adding his own confirmation that the teams are working toward a deal. The 24-year-old was informed Saturday morning that he will be inactive for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions as details of the trade are finalized, with the expectation of completing the deal early next week. The teams involved reportedly "prefer the trade destination is not announced" until after this weekend's games, NFL insider Jordan Schultz added.
For Detroit, the timing couldn't be better. The Lions (2-2), smarting from a 32-26 loss to the Panthers, get a Cardinals (1-3) team without its highest-profile receiver. And Saturday's very public announcement could itself be leverage — a way for Arizona to start a bidding war over the weekend and push Houston's offer higher.
Why are the Cardinals trading Marvin Harrison Jr?
Production, plain and simple. Harrison, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has managed just five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown through four games in 2026 — despite playing on 74% of Arizona's offensive snaps. On a per-game basis, that's less than half of what he produced before, which was already a disappointment relative to his draft billing.
The son of Hall of Fame wideout Marvin Harrison arrived from Ohio State as a surefire future WR1, but injuries and quarterback instability kept getting in the way. Foot injuries and appendicitis limited him to 12 games in his second season, when he caught 41 passes for 608 yards and four touchdowns. As a rookie, he showed promise with 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns — but never became the centerpiece of the offense.
This season, the fit got worse, not better. Tight end Trey McBride has become the passing game's focal point, with 33 catches for 242 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals gave Michael Wilson a contract extension in the offseason, spent the No. 3 overall pick on running back Jaremiyah Love, and added Kendrick Bourne to the receiver room. Harrison had become, at best, the fourth option — an untenable spot for a player drafted to be a star.
The Texans lead the chase — and the Stroud connection
If it ends up being Houston, the football logic writes itself. The Texans' interest dates back to Jayden Higgins' training camp ACL injury, per Bleacher Report's James Palmer — and Harrison would reunite with C.J. Stroud, his former Ohio State quarterback. "If it ends up being the #Texans, Marvin Harrison Jr. would be reunited with his college QB CJ Stroud," Rapoport posted on X. "But as of right now, no trade is finalized."
The Texans have been in "deep negotiations" with the Cardinals, Schultz confirmed, with "significant draft capital" involved. Arizona is still holding out hope for a first-round pick, though at least one other club believes Harrison is only worth a Day 2 selection. The Texans are reportedly willing to move a second-round pick — but in 2028, while the Cardinals want it in 2027.
Elsewhere, the doors keep closing. The Colts did their due diligence, according to FOX 59's Mike Chappell, but balked at Arizona's asking price of a second-round pick and more. The Chiefs are not trading for Harrison either, per KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson.
One subplot worth watching: the two general managers involved — Houston's Nick Caserio and Arizona's Monti Ossenfort — have history. They were on opposite sides of the 2023 blockbuster that let Houston trade up to the No. 3 pick for All-Pro edge rusher Will Anderson right after selecting Stroud. They know how to get a big deal done together.
What the contract looks like
Whoever gets Harrison is buying low on both the player and the contract. His new club picks up the remainder of his rookie deal: he'll be owed less than $1 million in base salary this season and $5.62 million in 2027, comprised of a $1.19 million base salary and a $4.43 million roster bonus, per OverTheCap.
The bigger decision comes next spring: the acquiring team will have to decide on Harrison's fifth-year option, currently projected at $17.2 million — though it would likely rise to $18.95 million if he starts for his new team for the rest of the season. That's a steep price for his production to date, but in a new offense with a familiar quarterback, it could start to look like a bargain.
What happens next
Watch Sunday's inactive list for confirmation, then watch the phones. The deal is expected to be completed early next week, and the destination is being kept under wraps until after this weekend's games — which is why the Texans' Sunday result matters. If Houston's offense struggles without receiver depth, the pressure to finalize could grow.
The one thing that seems certain: Harrison is not staying in Arizona. After two-plus seasons of unmet expectations, both sides need the fresh start. For Harrison, it's a chance to recapture the Ohio State form — 99 yards per game and 28 touchdowns over his final two college seasons, back-to-back All-American honors, and the 2023 Biletnikoff Award. For the Cardinals, it's the end of a bet that never paid off.
Key Takeaways
- The Cardinals are finalizing a trade of WR Marvin Harrison Jr., per ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport — but no deal is official yet.
- Harrison will be inactive for Sunday's game against the Lions; the deal is expected to be completed early next week.
- The Texans are the reported favorites, with "deep negotiations" ongoing — a reunion with former Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud is the selling point.
- The Colts and Chiefs are out of the running; Arizona's asking price is a second-round pick or more.
- Harrison has just 5 catches for 85 yards in 2026 despite a 74% snap share, after injuries derailed his second season.
- His new team inherits a cheap rookie deal ($5.62M in 2027) but faces a fifth-year option decision next spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade official?
Not yet. Schefter and Rapoport reported Saturday that the Cardinals are "finalizing" a deal, Harrison will sit out Sunday's game, and the destination won't be announced until after the weekend's games. Expect official word early next week — but nothing is done until it's done.
Why are the Cardinals trading Marvin Harrison Jr.?
He hasn't produced like a No. 4 overall pick. Harrison has just 5 catches for 85 yards through four games in 2026, and injuries plus quarterback instability limited his first two seasons. With Trey McBride emerging and new investments at receiver, he had become the fourth option in Arizona's offense.
Which team is trading for Marvin Harrison Jr.?
The Houston Texans are the reported favorites. Schefter says Houston is "in the mix," Schultz confirms "deep negotiations" with significant draft capital, and Rapoport notes the appeal of reuniting Harrison with his former Ohio State quarterback, C.J. Stroud. The Colts and Chiefs are confirmed to be out.
What would Harrison's role be with the Texans?
Houston's receiver depth took a hit when Jayden Higgins suffered a training camp ACL injury, which is reportedly what sparked the Texans' interest. Paired with Stroud — the quarterback from Harrison's dominant Ohio State years — he'd get an immediate chance to be a bigger part of the offense.
What are Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 2026 stats?
Through four games: 5 receptions on 13 targets for 85 yards and 1 touchdown, despite playing 74% of Arizona's offensive snaps. For his career: 108 catches for 1,578 yards and 13 touchdowns. His rookie year (62 catches, 885 yards, 8 TDs) remains his best season.
What does his contract look like for the new team?
Cheap for now: under $1 million in base salary this season and $5.62 million in 2027 ($1.19M base + $4.43M roster bonus), per OverTheCap. The real decision comes next spring — the fifth-year option is projected at $17.2 million, rising to $18.95 million if he starts the rest of this season.
When was Marvin Harrison Jr. drafted?
Arizona selected him No. 4 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after a decorated Ohio State career: back-to-back All-American honors, the 2023 Biletnikoff Award as college football's best receiver, 99 receiving yards per game over his final two college seasons, and 28 touchdowns.