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Updated October 11, 6:22 p.m. EDT: adds C.J. Stroud’s reaction to the trade.
C.J. Stroud said after Sunday’s win in Nashville that he helped make the case for Marvin Harrison Jr. inside the building. The Texans quarterback, who threw to Harrison at Ohio State, described his new receiver as a precise route runner with hands that can handle almost any throw, and he said he had spoken with several people in the organization about the kind of player and person Harrison is. Stroud credited the front office for including him in the process.
“He’s probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around in my life,” Stroud said, according to Aaron Wilson.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — #Texans C.J. Stroud on new receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. after trade:
'A dynamic playmaker, somebody who runs great routes, someone who can catch really any ball, and I'm just super excited to get with him. I loved him in college. He's probably the hardest…— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 11, 2026
The Houston Texans have acquired wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals, sending a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Arizona and getting a 2027 seventh-round pick back along with the receiver.
Tom Pelissero and Aaron Wilson both reported the full terms on Sunday afternoon, and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke about the move after his team’s 26-3 win over the Titans in Nashville. The deal ends a two-day standoff over the price for the fourth overall pick of the 2024 draft, and it hands C.J. Stroud a receiver he already knows well from their years together at Ohio State.
Full terms…
Texans get:
Marvin Harrison Jr.
2027 7th round pickCardinals get:
2027 2nd round pick
2027 6th round pick https://t.co/JLNYXWfhS6— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2026
How the deal came together
Arizona had kept Harrison away from the team on Saturday night and listed him inactive for its home game with the Detroit Lions while the two clubs worked through the details. Pelissero reported that the Cardinals were holding out for a second-round choice plus additional value, and the timing of that pick was the main obstacle: Wilson reported on Saturday that Houston’s first offer was a second-rounder in 2028, while Arizona wanted the 2027 selection. The final terms give the Cardinals the earlier pick.
Ian Rapoport noted that Harrison entered the league without an agent and only recently hired Todd France and Tory Dandy to help him find a new team. The move still depends on the usual physical before it becomes official.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on trading for Marvin Harrison Jrm https://t.co/tXKpdIrbk4 pic.twitter.com/AI46f1R663
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 11, 2026
What Houston is getting
Harrison arrives after a quiet start to his third season. He caught five passes for 85 yards and one touchdown on 12 targets in four games for Arizona this fall. As a rookie he had 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight scores, and in 2025 foot injuries and appendicitis limited him to 12 games, 41 catches, 608 yards and four touchdowns. He has not yet reached 1,000 yards in a season.
His contract makes him an affordable addition. Arizona has already paid his $22.5 million signing bonus, so Houston owes him a $4 million salary this season and $5.62 million in 2027. The Texans will have to decide on his fifth-year option, which would cover 2028, this coming offseason.
The need was obvious. Rookie Jayden Higgins is out with a torn ACL, Nico Collins has missed time this season, and Tank Dell is still working back after sitting out all of last year. On Sunday, Stroud completed 26 of 34 passes for 261 yards with a touchdown to Jaylin Noel, and he also ran one in from 2 yards out. Ka’imi Fairbairn added four field goals as Houston improved to 1-4.
What comes next
Houston visits the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, October 18, at 9:30 a.m. EDT, the earliest Harrison could make his Texans debut. Arizona finishes Sunday’s game with Detroit without him. Every completed move appears on our transactions page.
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