New NFL Rumors Reveal Marvin Harrison Jr. 'Stopped Taking Calls' from Cardinals Coaches Before Trade

Marvin Harrison Jr.'s relationship with the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff had reportedly deteriorated prior to his trade to the Houston Texans.

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reported Friday Harrison "stopped taking calls" from his coaches before he was dealt to the Texans for a pair of draft picks.

Harrison, the No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft, tallied just five catches for 85 yards on 13 targets in four games before the trade.

One source told Weinfuss, "I just think at one point he was in his head, which made him play slower and cautious. His high expectations were a gift and a curse."

Weinfuss added the split between player and team dated back to Harrison's rookie season, when the Cardinals did not purchase Harrison a robotic quarterback the wide receiver had asked for. Harrison later purchased the machine himself, per Weinfuss.

The Cardinals' decision not to buy Harrison a Jugs machine was initially reported earlier this month by The Arizona Republic's Theo Mackie. One source described the issue to Weinfuss as "not a good look for the team."

Harrison's exit took place amid the ascendance of Michael Wilson, who the Cardinals showed faith in as a top wideout by signing to a three-year, $75 million extension this offseason.

The Texans will hope to take advantage of the Cardinals' inability to develop Harrison into a WR1 by turning his career around in Houston, where the 24-year-old made three catches for 34 yards in his debut last Sunday.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said he expects Harrison's "workload to continue to increase" going forward, potentially starting Sunday with a Week 7 matchup against J.J. McCarthy and the visiting New York Giants.