SportsTrending
The Arizona Cardinals traded wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans for a 2027 second-round and sixth-round pick. The deal reunites Harrison with former Ohio State teammate C.J. Stroud.
The Arizona Cardinals have finalized a trade sending wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. The transaction was confirmed by Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans on Sunday, following Houston's 26-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
According to ESPN, the Cardinals traded Harrison, along with a 2027 seventh-round pick, to the Texans. In return, Arizona received a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. An NFL source told OutKick that the Texans are sending the second- and sixth-round picks to Arizona in exchange for Harrison and the seventh-round pick.
The trade was announced during the Cardinals' Week 5 game against the Detroit Lions, a contest in which Harrison was inactive. Reports from ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Saturday indicated the Cardinals were seeking a second-round pick and possibly more for the third-year receiver.
The move reunites Harrison with quarterback C.J. Stroud, his former teammate at Ohio State. The two played together in 2021 and 2022, with Harrison setting or tying career-highs in receptions (77), receiving yards (1,263) and receiving touchdowns (14) in 2022.
Stroud addressed the trade after Sunday's game. "You want to know more? I don't know what more I can tell you," Stroud said with a smile. "I think he's a great guy, think he's a great player, and I'm excited to get him here."
CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala reported that Stroud described Harrison as "an amazing talent" and "one of the hardest workers he's ever known," adding that Stroud believes "sometimes a fresh start can be really good."
Harrison was selected fourth overall by the Cardinals in the 2024 NFL draft. He struggled to find a featured role under new head coach Mike LaFleur this season, recording five receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown through four games. For his Cardinals career, he totaled 108 catches for 1,578 yards and 13 touchdowns in 33 games.
The Texans identified a need for a perimeter playmaker alongside two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, particularly after Tank Dell's career was derailed by a dislocated kneecap and torn ACL in 2024. Harrison is now the first wide receiver since Ahmad Rashad in 1974 to be traded within his first three NFL seasons after being selected in the top five of the NFL draft, according to CBS Sports Research.
This trade represents a significant shift for both franchises. For the Cardinals, it marks the end of a high-profile experiment with a top-five pick who failed to meet expectations, allowing them to recoup draft capital. For the Texans, it offers a potential offensive upgrade by pairing a proven college connection with their franchise quarterback, aiming to improve a passing game that has lacked depth outside of Nico Collins.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
SportsTrending
About 70 runners and volunteers participating in Utah's Moab 240 ultramarathon were safely evacuated Sunday after being stranded overnight by heavy rain and flooded roads in San Juan County.
SportsTrending
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw his 580th career touchdown pass on Sunday, surpassing Peyton Manning for third place on the NFL's all-time list.
