Why Cardinals won’t use ‘easy’ fix for invisible Marvin Harrison Jr.

After the Seahawks’ 31-7 Week 2 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, there were two takeaways from the Ohio State receivers who participated in this contest.

Seattle’s Jaxson Smith-Njigba had a career day with three receiving touchdowns, while Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. left with more questions surrounding his abilities as a pro.

Harrison had one target in the afternoon and put up zeroes in the box score, as quarterback Jacoby Brissett focused his passing game around tight end Trey McBride.

He led all Arizona pass-catchers with 41 yards on eight receptions.

Harrison, the former Biletnikoff Award winner and fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has gone from surefire All-Pro potential to “Can he make it to his second contract?”

There’s been a lot of pressure on Harrison since he entered the league, and new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is still figuring out the “Maserati Marv” puzzle.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, LaFleur described how the team was using Harrison. He also shared why “easy completions” were tough to come by.

“You also have Trey McBride who’s one of the best underneath guys in the world, and there’s only 65 plays a game, and you got to run the ball. You got Kendrick [Bourne] who works underneath pretty well too. So, everyone’s kinda got their role right there,” said LaFleur.

Arizona drafted Harrison as the prototypical X receiver: A bigger body who can win in man coverage on the outside, similar to Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan.

Instead, Harrison Jr. hasn’t been able to get his game going over his first two seasons in the league. That looks to be a continuation, as through two games, the top-five pick has recorded only one catch.

LaFleur concludes his answer with insight into how Arizona could use Harrison in its Week 3 matchup against San Francisco.

“That means we won’t [work Harrison underneath] this week if we think that’s what’s best,” said LaFleur.

Arizona already exceeded some expectations in its Week 1 win against the Chargers and will look to see if Harrison can have a breakout performance in Santa Clara against the 49ers.