Marvin Harrison Jr. was always going to be a pass-catcher for the Houston Texans heading into Week 6.
The Texans just needed to play on Sunday and make that dream a reality.
During his interview on 95.7 The Fan's 'Payne & Pendergast,' Texans general manager Nick Caserio said that the deal was finalized on Friday evening, but the Cardinals wanted to wait until Sunday to announce it.
"What happened in the game had zero bearing on the outcome," Caserio said Wednesday. "Like, we're not going to agree to something and then see what happens in a game and then back out of it."
The Texans agreed to trade a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Arizona in exchange for the former No. 4 overall pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection.
"In the
end, we just choose to do business a certain way," Caserio said. "Everybody can agree or disagree about how we go about it. I think there was a lot more made of this. I think it was more so out of respect because of the relationship we have. We just wanted to make sure we handled it the right way."
Texans GM Nick Caserio told @SethCPayne & @SeanTPendergast on @957thefan that he initiated the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade talks with Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort a couple of weeks ago.
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) October 14, 2026
The deal was finalized Friday but delayed at Ossenfort’s request.
Caserio was adamant that the… pic.twitter.com/Bcr0R9mV6a
Harrison and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud played together (2021-22) at Ohio State and were All-Americans in 2022. With Stroud playing like a passer built to win now, Houston believes the reunion can turn the once No. 4 overall pick into the player many thought would become an icon from Columbus.
This includes Stroud, who praised the mentality of Harrison after Sunday's 26-3 win over the Tennessee Titans.
"He's a dynamic playmaker," Stroud said. "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 worker I've ever been around in my life."
After a slow start to the past two seasons, conversations began brewing that Harrison could be traded entering 2026. Chatter became quiet after the season began, with Harrison remaining the second-best option at wide receiver.
In four games, Harrison has totaled five catches on 12 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown. He ranked fifth in targets for the Cardinals' offense, trailing right end Trey McBride, wide receiver Michael Wilson, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and rookie running back Jeremiyah Love.
He was also tied for the sixth-most receptions.
"Super athletic, dynamic wide receiver, can do a lot. I'm excited to have him here. It's going to be big. I can't wait to see what he does," Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said on Sunday. "I know C.J'.s going to love it.
A two-time All-American and considered a generational wideout prospect, Harrison had 1,578 yards and 13 catches in 33 games with the Cardinals. In two years, he's never hit 1,000 yards in a season and has dealt with multiple injuries. Last season, he played in 12 games, in which he caught 41 passes for 608 yards and four touchdowns.
The Texans' passing game ranks sixth in the NFL entering a must-win game for the AFC South contenders to get back in the race. Currently, Houston only has one sufficent weapon at wide receiver in Pro Bowler Nico Collins, though there's potential with young targets like second-year wideut Jaylin Noel.
This season, Collins leads all wide receivers in targets (18) and receptions (14) for 193 yards and three touchdown receptions. Noel is averaging over 24 yards per catch, but he only has eight receptions for 186 yards.
Harrison, a 2024 draft pick, is due $4 million this year and $5.62 million next year and also has a fifth-year option decision coming up this offseason. Should the Texans trade for him, he'd be in Houston through the 2028 season.
Houston will look to keep the winning times rolling on Sunday from London as they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. local time on NFL Network.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans GM Nick Caserio breaks down trade for WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
