The Houston Texans finally got their first win of the season in a 26-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans. However, the bigger news came after the game, when the Texans announced they were trading for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Houston gave up some significant draft capital, trading away a second-round pick and a sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft in exchange for Harrison and a seventh-round pick. Things were not working for Harrison Jr with the Arizona Cardinals, and they made the decision to trade him away. Multiple teams were in the running for him, but the Texans are ultimately the ones who made the deal. Harrison Jr. played with Houston’s quarterback, C.J. Stroud, back at Ohio State.
"We're excited to add Marvin to our team,” head
coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He's another really great playmaker. He's crushed a lot of college records. Got multiple thousand-yard receiving seasons in college. All American, always been a top receiver when he's been on the field. He has good rapport with C.J. from their time at Ohio State. We're excited to get him in, add another great player to our group."
DeMeco Ryans credits Nick Caserio for acquiring Marvin Harrison Jr.:
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) October 13, 2026
“Credit goes to Nick Caserio and his ability to work a deal and get it finalized.”
On the philosophy behind the move:
“How many great players can you add? Nothing wrong with adding great players.” pic.twitter.com/gqCkmKocL9
The best year for Stroud and Harrison Jr was in 2022. Stroud was third in the Heisman voting and Harrison Jr was named an All American after having 1,263 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, the most touchdowns of anyone in the Big Ten. After Stroud was drafted by the Texans in 2023, the All American receiver had another 14-touchdown season and was fourth in the Heisman voting as well as being named an All American again.
His career in the NFL has not been as noteworthy. In 33 career games, Harrison has only 108 receptions for 1,578 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, eight of which came during his rookie year in 2023. His production took a dip in 2024 and was on track to be even worse in 2025 after he only had five receptions through four games.
Houston will be looking to get Harrison Jr’s college form back and pairing him with his college quarterback could do the trick. He is expected to make his Texans debut in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars this coming Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reacts to trade for WR Marvin Harrison Jr
