The Arizona Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he was supposed to be the next great Arizona receiver.
However, his production hasn’t been what fans hoped for so far, and a large part of the blame has fallen on the Cardinals’ coaching staff.
Harrison’s father, Marvin Harrison Sr., had tried to stay silent as he watched his oldest son’s NFL career begin, but he had seen enough and broke his silence on Monday morning.
What Does Marvin Harrison Sr. Think of the Cardinals Offense?
The Cardinals hired offensive coordinator Drew Petzing in 2023, and the Cardinals’ offense struggled, ranking 24th in points and 19th in total yards.
There was a big jump in 2024 as Arizona ranked No. 12 in points and No. 11 in total yards in the NFL. However, the Cardinals’ offense has returned to its 2023 form this year, and Marvin Harrison Sr. has had enough. He spoke with ESPN about his frustrations with Arizona’s offense.
“It’s very hard for me to watch the Cardinals’ offense,” Harrison Sr. told ESPN. “And you can quote me on that.”
“It’s very hard for me to watch the Cardinals’ offense,” Harrison Sr. told ESPN. “And you can quote me on that.”
Wow, Marvin Harrison Sr. going scorched earth on the Cardinals offense.https://t.co/IOhLX7KlkD
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) November 3, 2025
Harrison is a Hall of Fame receiver with a Super Bowl ring and had eight straight 1,000-yard seasons in his career. The former Colts’ receiver was a three-time All-Pro and collected almost 15,000 yards across his 13-year NFL career.
“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,” Harrison Sr. said. “Basically, I can’t relate to what goes on there. I think that’s just a peaceful way to put it, 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.”
Harrison Jr. had a decent rookie year, but it still wasn’t what fans had hoped for. The Cardinals’ rookie had 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns.
Harrison Jr. averaged almost seven targets per game in his rookie year, but has averaged about one fewer target per game in 2025.
Almost six targets per game isn’t something to complain about for a receiver, but Harrison was a top 5 draft pick and supposed to be the next great.
Nobody would bat an eye if the young receiver were getting more than 10 targets per game. But that hasn’t been the case to start his career.
“I don’t get into what goes on the field and the things that I see,” Harrison Sr. said. “I just leave it alone. I don’t even bother bringing it up no more.”
“It takes a lot of self-restraint and duct tape. I got to close my mouth and just don’t say nothing.”
The Cardinals’ offense ranks 23rd in the NFL this year, according to PFSN’s Offense Impact, with a 70.1 score.
However, the Cardinals do have a budding star in tight end Trey McBride, who leads the team in targets, receptions, and yards. However, that doesn’t mean Harrison Jr. can’t match McBride’s usage.
But, throughout the bland start to Harrison Jr.’s career, the young receiver has kept his head down and gone to work every day. He hasn’t been a receiver who has complained or caused issues due to his limited usage.