GLENDALE — With Marvin Harrison Jr. reportedly on his way out of Arizona, one team has emerged as a leading candidate for his next destination.
Sep 27, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during halftime against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
News broke Saturday morning that the former No. 4 overall pick would be headed out of Arizona, as the Cardinals listed him as inactive ahead of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. The package for Harrison is expected to include a second-round pick, but the Cardinals have not yet revealed which team they will send him to.
So, what team could land the wide receiver? According to NBC Sports’ Mike Florio, Harrison could be traded to the Houston Texans.
The Texans are the likely destination for WR Marvin Harrison Jr.; negotiations have included Houston offering a 2028 second-round pick and the Cardinals wanting a 2027 second-rounder. https://t.co/SjDG9486Y8
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 10, 2026
If the Texans land the wide receiver, they would reunite quarterback C.J. Stroud with his former Ohio State teammate. They spent two seasons together at Ohio State, and in Stroud’s last season as the starter in 2022, Harrison caught 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns.
While a move to Houston wouldn’t be a complete fresh start for Harrison, given his familiarity with Stroud, it still raises the question of why a former No. 4 overall pick couldn’t find his footing with the Cardinals.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 12, 2022. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Arizona drafted Harrison with the expectation that he would become a key piece of its offense for years to come. However, his production has declined since his rookie season, when he recorded 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. In 12 games last season, he finished with 41 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns.
Harrison’s struggles have continued into 2026, as he has recorded just five receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown through four games.
Oct 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and tight end Dalton Schultz (86) take the field prior to a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
With the Cardinals reportedly preparing to move on from the young receiver, the team will have to look elsewhere for production in the passing game in the future.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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