When Marvin Harrison Jr. takes the field for the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, his father, Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., will be watching from home in Philadelphia. For Harrison Sr., tuning in to his son’s games has become a source of conflicted emotions, one that contains both pride and frustration.
What Did Marvin Harrison Sr. Say About Cardinals’ Offense
The NFL has undergone significant changes since Marvin Harrison Sr. retired in 2008 after 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, and the Arizona Cardinals’ struggling offense is not sitting well with him.
“It’s very hard for me to watch the Cardinals’ offense,” Harrison Sr. told ESPN. “And you can quote me on that. The style of offense that I am accustomed to, that I’m used to watching as a professional eye, as a wide receiver … I just can’t relate to watching that [current] offense, that style of offense. Basically, I can’t relate to what goes on there.”
What he sees is quarterbacks mostly in the shotgun, wide receivers shifting constantly between the outside and the slot, and pre-snap motions from every direction, elements far removed from the Peyton Manning-led system that made him one of the NFL’s most exceptional players.
Marvin Harrison Sr says if he was in AZ offense he would be REMOVED from the HOF👀
“You can put Marvin Harrison Sr in my prime, in AZ right now, and guess what happened?, Canton, Ohio, is going to send me a prepaid envelope and say, ‘Could you please send that jacket back?’ 😳 pic.twitter.com/59UQVVutP4
— K1SinceDay1 (@KSzn2021) November 3, 2025
“I think that’s just peacefully put, without pointing fingers or anything. It’s just me. I’m giving you the professional eye. I can’t relate to it. It don’t add up to me. I can’t deal with it.”
Arizona’s offense has given Harrison Sr. plenty of reasons for ample concern. The team is 2-5 and in the midst of a five-game losing streak. The Cardinals’ passing game ranks near the bottom of the league, with quarterback Kyler Murray sustaining an injury and Jacoby Brissett playing in his place. Marvin Harrison Jr. has averaged 56.6 receiving yards per game, with two touchdowns on 40 targets.
Even in a difficult offense, Harrison Jr. has focused on what he can control: getting open, creating separation, and making catches in tight windows. While his 2.79 yards of separation per reception rank 79th in the league, he is fifth in the NFL in catches made in tight coverage. His PFSN WR Impact Score is 76.7 with a C grade. He ranks 31st among all wide receivers this season.