The 2025 NFL season posed significant hurdles for Marvin Harrison Jr. As a Arizona Cardinals receiver, his season was hampered by injuries, restricting his appearances to 12 games. This situation sets the stage for the 2026 season as a potential opportunity for reassertion as a leading wide receiver in the league. However, the beginning of the season has not been promising.
In the initial two games of the 2026 season, Harrison has caught a single pass from just four targets. This is a glaring statistic, especially considering that the Arizona quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, has attempted 65 passes across those games. The realization that only one of these passes has connected with Harrison, who many anticipated would become a central figure for the franchise, is concerning.
Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field after his team’s 7-31 loss against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The Cardinals haven’t secured a playoff win in over ten years. Their placement in a competitive NFC West may not have positioned them as contenders, yet this does not justify Harrison’s current lack of contribution. His energy and demeanor over these two weeks have garnered attention for the wrong reasons. When a receiver stands out despite limited on-field achievements, issues are evident.
Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Arizona faces 15 more games in the season. Harrison has ample time to regain his form and shine, even on what is likely to be a struggling team. Yet, little suggests this turnaround is imminent. As a rookie in 2024, Harrison led the team in touchdown receptions with eight and ranked second in targets with 116. Contrarily, in 2026, his current trajectory points to zero touchdowns and just 34 targets over the season.
Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
His struggles are surprising. Less than three years ago, after dual 1,200-yard seasons at Ohio State, Harrison was the fourth overall draft pick by Arizona. In 2024, he even finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. Fast forward to 2026, and he seems like a different player, struggling in his third professional season.
Mark Harris is a writer for OutKick.
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