GLENDALE — It’s official: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is headed to the Houston Texans.
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) on the field during warm ups prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Cardinals will send their former No. 4 overall pick to Houston and a 2027 7th-round pick in exchange for a 2027 2nd-round pick and a 2027 6th-round pick. With this trade, it officially ends Harrison’s short but polarizing tenure in Arizona.
Trade: the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to trade WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and 2027 7th-round pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2027 2nd-round pick and 2027 6th-round pick, per @rapsheet and me. https://t.co/ziepfRIPr4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2026
Harrison now reunites with quarterback C.J. Stroud, 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 struggled with Arizona.
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
The Cardinals 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.
The wide receivers’ 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
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. likely to land with Houston Texans
