Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t having his best game against the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football.” Harrison, in his second season with the Cardinals, was supposed to be a standout receiver for Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray.
That wasn’t the case during much of Thursday night’s game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Harrison even caught stray comments from Amazon Prime NFL analyst and ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit.
What Was Happening With Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Harrison wasn’t even the most targeted receiving option for Murray.
That honor went to Trey McBride, who had been targeted nine times by Murray into the fourth quarter with Seattle up 20-13. Arizona later tied the game at 20-20 late in the fourth. However, they also ended up losing to the Seahawks 20-23.
Herbstreit had some harsh words about Harrison as was posted online.
Kirk Herbstreit on Marvin Harrison Jr.’s struggles 😳
He has 1 reception for 8 yards at the half and bobbled a catch that ended up intercepted. pic.twitter.com/WX8XjTUjjQ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 26, 2025
“I think you see a guy who’s uberly talented just not playing with confidence,” Herbstreit said on the Amazon Prime broadcast alongside announcer Al Michaels. “It’s like his mind is paralyzing his ability to be the receiver he can be.”
Harrison must have heard some of Herbstreit’s criticisms. After having just one catch for eight yards and a costly bobble, Harrison caught a clutch touchdown pass from Murray in the fourth quarter that put Arizona within that 20-13 score.
Kyler Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr.!
We have a one-score game in Arizona.
SEAvsAZ on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rihmRe0STr
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2025
Through 20 NFL games, Harrison has 72 receptions for 1,027 yards and nine touchdown catches. Harrison came out of Ohio State with some great accolades. The Cardinals considered him a solid player and drafted him as the No. 4 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In three seasons with the Buckeyes, Harrison totaled 155 receptions for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdown catches. Harrison also had one rushing touchdown while playing for Ohio State head coach Ryan Day.
Herbstreit’s comments might also be based on his views of seeing Harrison play college ball. But the NFL is a different animal, and Harrison must now deliver in clutch situations for the Cardinals.
Late in the fourth quarter, Harrison had four total catches for 43 yards and that one touchdown catch. McBride was Arizona’s top receiver, with seven catches for 52 yards. That was definitely not a situation that the Cardinals wanted to see happen.
Harrison is supposed to be the No. 1 option, and Murray’s not taking advantage of Harrison in the game might be tough on the receiver’s mental toughness. Still, Arizona will look to get the talented receiver involved even more as the game is in the balance.
