Marvin Harrison Jr. is going through it.
Last year’s fourth overall pick has stumbled out of the gate—calling it a sophomore slump would be generous.
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Harrison was the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft but has so far failed to live up to expectationsCredit: GettyHarrison struggled early on vs Seahawks leading to Kirk Herbstreit criticism
After a modest rookie year with 62 catches for 885 yards and 8 touchdowns, Harrison Jr. appears to be struggling with the yips early in the young season.
While the storied franchise unveiled new uniforms, the conversation quickly returned to the former Ohio State receiver.
On Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks, the Arizona Cardinals star wideout was kindly put on blast by broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit.
Like the rest of the country, Herbstreit wondered why things aren’t clicking for the 23-year-old, as the problems seem to be all in his head.
“He doesn’t play with the urgency that we saw him [at Ohio State],” Herbstreit said. “I think he’s still trying to find the confidence he had in college.”
“He’s playing timid. He needs to be aggressive.”
Right on cue, Kyler Murray fired a perfect pass to Harrison Jr., who bobbled it into the air, allowing Ernest Jones IV to snatch the interception.
It was the second pass intended for Harrison Jr. that was intercepted by Seattle. Murray has thrown six interceptions on passes intended for Harrison Jr. since last year, ranking fourth-most.
“When you’re the fourth pick overall last year, that comes with expectations,” Herbstreit said. “You see a guy who’s uberly talented just not playing with confidence. It’s like his mind is paralyzing his ability to be the receiver he can be.”
The internet wasn’t too kind to the young receiver after yet another critical mistake, leaving them just as puzzled as Herbstreit.
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Harrison Jr. let a ball go right through his hands leading to an interceptionCredit: Getty
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Harrison Jr. has struggled mightily to begin the yearCredit: Getty
“It’s hard to watch what’s going on with Marvin Harrison Jr. right now,” respected NFL draft analyst Todd McShay wrote on X.
“Marvin Harrison Jr. is broken,” Barstool’s Big Cat commented.
“Marvin Harrison Jr’s struggles are just so befuddling,” Mina Kim’s wrote. “He was SUCH a good college player. I loved his tape.”
“Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. go together like orange juice and toothpaste,” a fan said on X.
Harrison Jr responds late on with impressive receiving touchdown
However, the two would connect for a late touchdown in the fourth quarter, to quiet down some of the noise for at least a week. He finished the game with six catches for 66 yards a touchdown.
Overall though, it isn’t pretty right now for the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr.
The Cardinals are now 2-2 after opening the season with wins over the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. They suffered their first loss last week on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, falling 16-15 on a walk-off field goal and another one on Thursday night 23-20.
Arizona’s next four games are against the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.
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