HOUSTON — For the first time since his trade to the Houston Texans, former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. spoke to reporters Wednesday about the move.
Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) looks back at quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) against the Seattle Seahawks during a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sept. 20, 2026. Credit: Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The blockbuster trade was first reported Saturday, though details about the package and which team would receive the former No. 4 overall pick were not immediately available. The trade became official Monday, with the Texans sending draft picks to Arizona in exchange for Harrison and a draft pick in return.
The trade came at a crossroads for Arizona, which had lost three straight games before the deal was announced. Harrison’s production had also been a point of discussion. In his time with the Cardinals this year, he recorded five receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown in four games.
Now, the wide receiver is in a new organization and reunited with former Ohio State teammate and quarterback C.J. Stroud.
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
“Just excited, man,” Harrison said when asked about his initial reaction to finding out he was heading to Houston, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. “Always watched Texas from afar. Obviously, just watching C.J. [Stroud], so pretty surreal to play with him now again. And as I said, just help him out the best I can.”
The duo previously played two seasons together at Ohio State, where Harrison recorded 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2022, Stroud’s final season as the starting quarterback. That reunion has Texans fans eager to see their chemistry translate to the NFL stage.
However, when Harrison was asked about his former club, the wide receiver was more reserved in his response.
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“I’ll keep those things to myself,” he said. “I’m really just moving forward.”
While Harrison wasn’t willing to share much about his departure from Arizona, his brief response left plenty unsaid. Now, with a fresh start in Houston alongside Stroud, the focus shifts to whether a reunion years in the making can help him turn the page on his time with the Cardinals.
#Texans wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., on trade from #Cardinals, excitement for fresh start ‘Excited to play with C.J. again’
https://t.co/JBqg6MjvEq— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 14, 2026
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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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