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Cardinals trade WR Marvin Harrison Jr. to Texans for draft picks
The Arizona Cardinals traded wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans on October 11, 2026, in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and sixth-round pick plus a seventh-round selection. Harrison, the 2024 fourth overall pick, struggled to find consistent targets with Arizona and will reunite with former Ohio State teammate C.J. Stroud in Houston.
Quick Facts
- Trade completed
- Harrison declared inactive for Cardinals-Lions game
- Texans defeated Titans 26-3
- Harrison hired agents Todd France and Tory Dandy on Sept. 23
- Harrison recorded one catch in first two games of 2026 season
The Arizona Cardinals have completed a trade of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans, exchanging the 2024 fourth overall pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed the trade on Sunday, October 11, 2026, following Houston's 26-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans—the team's first win of the season. Harrison was inactive for the Cardinals' concurrent game against the Detroit Lions as the deal was finalized.
Harrison struggled in his early 2026 season with the Cardinals, recording just five catches on 12 targets for 85 yards and one touchdown through four games. He ranked fifth in targets on Arizona's offense, behind tight end Trey McBride, wide receivers Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne, and running back Jeremiyah Love. The 24-year-old had drawn intense trade speculation in recent weeks after managing only one catch in the first two games. In late September, Harrison hired agents Todd France and Tory Dandy to navigate a potential move, marking his first agent representation.
With the Texans, Harrison reunites with quarterback C.J. Stroud, his teammate at Ohio State during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. At Ohio State in 2022, Harrison posted career highs of 77 receptions, 1,263 receiving yards, and 14 receiving touchdowns while playing alongside Stroud. The Texans are seeking to bolster their receiving corps following injuries to wide receiver Tank Dell, who suffered significant knee damage in Week 16 of the 2024 season and has not played since.
Over his Cardinals career spanning 33 games, Harrison accumulated 1,578 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches on 108 receptions. He was not reached 1,000 yards in a single season and dealt with foot injuries and appendicitis last year, limiting him to 12 games. As a 2024 rookie, Harrison recorded 885 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 62 catches. He is currently due $4 million in 2026 and $5.62 million in 2027, with a fifth-year option decision pending this offseason. His $22.5 million signing bonus was already paid by the Cardinals.
Harrison Jr. becomes 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 draft. The trade occurs as the NFL trade deadline approaches, following recent trades involving quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and other high-profile players. The Eagles, Colts, and other teams were reported to have declined interest in acquiring Harrison.
Why This Matters
A 2024 top-five draft pick moves mid-season, affecting Houston's receiving depth as Tank Dell recovers from knee injury while reducing Arizona's offensive options. The trade involves exchangeable draft capital—Arizona receives a higher pick in 2027 but loses immediate receiver productivity; Houston gains reunited quarterback-receiver chemistry from Ohio State but sends future draft assets. The deal reflects Harrison's underutilization (5 catches in 4 games) and marks the first such trade of a top-five receiver within three seasons since 1974, signaling shifts in player-roster fit evaluations and trade deadline activity.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2024
WireMarvin Harrison Jr. selected 4th overall by Arizona Cardinals in NFL Draft
Sep 23, 2026
WireHarrison hires agents Todd France and Tory Dandy
Oct 11, 2026
WireTexans defeat Titans 26-3 in first win of season
Oct 11, 2026
WireTrade officially completed; Texans head coach confirms acquisition of Harrison; Cardinals play Lions with Harrison inactive
Related Signals
Sources
- Texans complete trade with Cardinals for WR Marvin Harrison Jr.ESPNMediaOct 11, 2026
- Cardinals agree to trade Marvin Harrison Jr. to TexansNBC SportsMediaOct 11, 2026
- Reports: Cardinals Readying To Trade Marvin Harrison Jr.Arizona CardinalsMediaOct 11, 2026
- Marvin Harrison Jr. trade rumors: Eagles NOT interested in Cardinals wide receiverBleeding Green NationMediaOct 10, 2026
- Sources - Cardinals finalizing deal to trade WR Marvin Harrison Jr.ESPNMediaOct 11, 2026
- Marvin Harrison Jr. trade: Cardinals send former top-5 pick to Texans for multiple draft choices, per reportCBS SportsMediaOct 11, 2026