Cardinals finalizing trade of WR Marvin Harrison Jr., sources say

The Arizona Cardinals are finalizing a trade sending wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. elsewhere, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The team has informed Harrison he will be inactive for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions while the deal is completed. One team that has held talks with the Cardinals is Houston, which sources describe as squarely in the mix; a move to the Texans would reunite Harrison with his college quarterback, C.J. Stroud. The Indianapolis Colts are not involved in the discussions, a source told ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Arizona's asking price has been a sticking point. The Cardinals were seeking a second-round pick and more, according to a source, after telling teams entering the weekend they wanted first-round value for Harrison. Other teams have viewed him as worth some form of second-day draft compensation, per sources.

Harrison has been at the center of trade chatter for weeks after a quieter-than-expected start. He has five catches on 12 targets for 85 yards and one touchdown through four games, ranking as the fifth-most-targeted player on Arizona's offense; tight end Trey McBride, wide receivers Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne, and running back Jeremiyah Love all have more targets. His lone score came in Sunday's 36-24 loss to the New York Giants, after which he raised an index finger to his face mask in a shushing gesture. Asked Thursday what message he intended, Harrison said: 'No message.' He also said this week he has not paid attention to the speculation.

Harrison hired agents Todd France and Tory Dandy on Sept. 23, according to the NFLPA online database, having previously represented himself. Sources said the 2024 first-rounder brought them in to help navigate a potential trade, and interest has been significant over recent weeks. France worked behind the scenes on the Brian Burns trade to the Giants, while Dandy was integral in the A.J. Brown trade to the Patriots.

Contract mechanics are adding urgency for interested teams. Harrison is due $4 million this year and $5.62 million next season, with a fifth-year option decision looming this offseason; his $22.5 million signing bonus has already been paid by Arizona. Acquiring teams want him in the building for as many games as possible, both to play him and to gather information before that option call.

The No. 4 pick in 2024, Harrison has 1,578 receiving yards in 33 games with Arizona and never reached 1,000 yards in a season. He caught 62 passes for 885 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie, then was limited to 12 games last season by foot injuries and appendicitis, finishing with 41 catches for 608 yards and four scores. After Sunday's loss, coach Mike LaFleur said his confidence in Harrison remains high. With the NFL trade deadline under a month away, the league has seen three trades in the past two weeks: Minnesota sent quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the Giants, Pittsburgh sent cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Cowboys, and Philadelphia sent center Cam Jurgens to the Ravens.