Marvin Harrison Jr. will be traded by the Arizona Cardinals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, who reported on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Harrison, drafted with the fourth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, an Ohio State player, will be deactivated for Arizona’s Week 5 game with the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The trade is likely to occur only after the conclusion of Sunday’s games, but the Cardinals are apparently confident enough of its occurrence to have deactivated Harrison.
The reports followed a week of speculation. Schefter had earlier reported that due diligence was being done on Harrison by teams and that the Cardinals weren’t interested in trading him, making this move all the more unexpected. ESPN is reporting that Harrison’s tenure with Arizona has come to an end.
The destination has yet to be revealed, but Schefter indicated that the Cardinals and this team want to wait until the Week 5 games conclude to keep everything under wraps. That said, there have been some indications that the Houston Texans could be this team.
NBC Sports indicated that all the talk revolves around the Houston Texans, while Rotoballer referenced insiders from the league and a Cardinals player who believes that Harrison will end up with the Texans. Schefter added that there have been some discussions involving Texans, but according to a team source, there is no confirmation of interest either way.
A trade to Houston would allow Harrison to be reunited with C.J. Stroud at the quarterback position when it comes to a time when the Texans need help because they are 0-4 this year.
In addition, Harrison has team control through 2028, which would mean more than just renting out for the rest of this season for the Texans. Some other teams have been discounted, as Stephen Holder from ESPN confirmed that the Colts do not plan on getting Harrison, while the Chiefs will not trade for him, and the Saints had only an initial discussion.
The talks seem to revolve around one pick only. According to the report by NBC Sports, the Texans offered a second-round pick in 2028, while the Cardinals are insisting on getting a second-round pick in 2027.
Tom Pelissero of The Ringer also had reported before that the Arizona Cardinals were seeking a second-rounder and perhaps some middle round picks as well, with rumors suggesting that the Cardinals were concealing the destination in order to find a competitor willing to make an even better offer.
Clearly, the asking price was miles apart from the price Harrison was worth on draft night, where he came in the fourth overall as one of the top receiver recruits. Pelissero also reported that around $6.3 million worth of guaranteed salary was still left on Harrison’s contract, including the team option in 2028.
The stint of Harrison for the Cardinals has been underwhelming. He recorded 41 catches for 608 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2025, but the season got disrupted by injuries, including an appendix surgery and heel problem that forced him out of the season early, according to ESPN.
However, this season has seen him make an impression. He made the opening touchdown from quarterback Jacoby Brissett against the Giants with a 33-yard reception that was his first catch of 2026.
However, Bleacher Report reported that he has just not been a major part of the offense and that his trade value has been falling with each passing week in which he is unused.
Brissett tried to defend his receiver publicly, and Harrison himself seemed unaffected by the rumors earlier in the week.
Wilson is likely to be busy in the passing game, along with tight end Trey McBride. On the other hand, Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Brooks will surely appreciate the opportunities that come from Harrison's departure.
