Cardinals trade Marvin Harrison Jr. to Texans; deal reunites him with C.J. Stroud

The Arizona Cardinals said Monday that their trade sending wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans is official after Harrison passed his physical, completing a deal that sends the former No. 4 overall draft pick to Houston early in his NFL career.

Under the trade terms widely reported by multiple outlets and reflected in the Cardinals’ weekend coverage, Arizona is sending Harrison and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Houston for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

The move had been reported over the weekend, and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans publicly confirmed it after Houston’s game Sunday. “You guys want to know, huh? Yes, alright, we traded for Marvin Harrison, see ya,” Ryans said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The trade stands out because Harrison is only 24 and was one of the marquee players in the 2024 NFL Draft. The son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., he was selected fourth overall by Arizona and now becomes part of a rare early-career move involving a top-five pick at wide receiver. CBS Sports and other outlets noted that he is the first wide receiver drafted in the top five to be traded within his first three seasons since Ahmad Rashad in 1974.

Harrison appeared in 33 games for Arizona and finished his Cardinals tenure with 108 catches for 1,578 yards and 13 touchdowns, according to the team. This season, before the trade became official, he had five catches for 85 yards in four games. He was inactive for the Cardinals’ Week 5 game as the trade came together.

For Houston, the deal reunites Harrison with quarterback C.J. Stroud, his former Ohio State teammate. That connection adds a clear layer of intrigue for a Texans offense now bringing in a receiver once viewed as a foundational draft piece in Arizona. Stroud said of Harrison, according to the Houston Chronicle, “I loved him in college. Probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around in my life… I’m excited to get him in here…”

Arizona framed the decision as a broader team move rather than a comment on Harrison’s ability. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said Monday, “Decisions like this are never easy. Ultimately, we have to do what is best for our football team and that will always be the driving factor. We are extremely grateful to Marvin for what he has contributed to our organization and wish him the very best as he moves forward in his career.”

Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur struck a similar tone a day earlier, saying, “I just thought it was in the best interest of this club… I really like Marvin Harrison. He’s a good person. I wish him well.”

For Arizona, the deal closes a brief but notable chapter with one of the most prominent prospects in recent drafts. For Houston, it opens a new one with a young receiver whose NFL path has taken an unusual turn just two and a half seasons after he entered the league.