4th overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. gets candid about his rookie year struggles at Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals' struggles has reflected on rookie Marvin Harrison Jr.'s performances throughout the season despite Kyler Murray throwing to him.
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Marvin Harrison Jr. (Image via ESPN/X)
Marvin Harrison Jr. was projected to make an instant impact in the NFL, but even a generational talent like him struggled to settle in the big league. It’s always tough being a rookie in the NFL, especially for an Arizona Cardinals team that finished with back-to-back 4-13 seasons.
Harrison came into the Cardinals’ side with an open mind, ready to face the challenges head-on. With Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray as his quarterback, the Arizona franchise was tipped to be the dark horse this season. After 15 games they stand on a 7-8 record, third in their division, and with very little chance of making it through to the playoffs.
Harrison entered the league with an open mind and a vision to perform his best. Yet he will be the first one to point out that it has been anything but.
I’m not going to lie and say it’s been easy. Definitely a lot different for me. Just the success you kinda had in the past and then to kinda have a roller coaster ride of a year as a rookie, it’s been hard.
Marvin Harrison Jr. said via Arizona Cardinals reporter Bo Brack.
“I’m not going to lie and say it’s been easy.”
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) December 26, 2024
Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. on his rookie season @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/aEogc2fyOM
Despite the adversities, the fourth overall pick always leans on his teammates for support, especially on his quarterback.
How does Marvin Harrison Jr.’s rookie numbers compare to his father?
The 22-year-old wideout shares a name with his father and legendary receiver Marvin Harrison. He knew that comparisons between him and his old man would be made from day 1.
The rookie numbers for both athletes are quite similar, which says a lot about the NFL. Harrison’s first year with the Indianapolis Colts ended with 64 catches, 836 receiving yards, and eight scores. He only managed two 100-yard games. Harrison Jr. has 51 receptions for 726 yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 games with two games left to go until the season wraps up.
Harrison Jr. needs to keep his chin up because he is part of one of the league’s worst passing offenses. The Arizona Cardinals are 22nd in passing yards (3296), 29th in passing touchdowns (16 TDs), and 29th in 20+ yard plays (35 completions).
The Arizona Cardinals passing offense is amongst the league’s worst.
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) December 27, 2024
Who should be held accountable come January for the unit’s failures in 2024?#BirdGang | #AZCardinals
?: https://t.co/38PfRDgKQK pic.twitter.com/1i4LDU8b4r
The numbers sting even more when fellow rookies have done better in worse teams. LSU graduate and 23rd overall pick Brian Thomas Jr. caught 73 passes for 1088 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns for the 3-12 Jacksonville Jaguars. 13th overall pick and Georgia graduate, tight end Brock Bowers caught 101 passes for 1067 yards and 4 touchdowns for 3-12 Las Vegas Raiders. At trying times, Harrison Jr. prefers to remember the words his father told him.
It’s a part of it, part of the sport, part of being a rookie and going from the college level to the pro level. Always keep your head up.
Harrison Sr.’s message for his son.
MVJ still has two more games in his hands to finish the season strongly. The Cardinals will face divisional opponents the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier in the season, Harrison caught four passes for 130 yards (32.5 yards per catch) and scored 2 touchdowns in a 41-10 blowout against the Rams. However, he will find the current Rams side is very different compared to earlier in the year; with a four-game winning streak, Sean McVay’s side is a strong candidate to win the NFC West.
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Ishan Misra
(3107 Articles Published)