Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. didn’t enter his rookie season with expectations.

For the young pass catcher, it was all about going into the unknown of first grade with an open mind.

As he put it Thursday, “To be surprised, you have to have expectations.”

But even 16 games into his NFL career, Harrison doesn’t deny the obvious:

Marvin Harrison Jr. won’t lie and say his rookie season was easy, but the Cardinals wide receiver continues to rely on his teammates, coaches and family while worrying about the process rather than the results. pic.twitter.com/w1pk13fcID

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) December 26, 2024

“I’m not going to lie and say it was easy,” Harrison said Thursday. “Definitely a lot different for me. Just having the success you’ve had in the past and then going through a rollercoaster ride for a year as a freshman was tough.

“But I rely on my teammates and my coaches. They do a good job and encourage me every week. Also the family. I’m just more concerned with the process than the results.”

Harrison may not have had any expectations going into the first year, but almost everyone else did.

And so far, the overall performance has been far from what many envisioned for the No. 4 overall pick, who was a constant threat every week at Ohio State.

With 51% of his targets for 726 yards and seven touchdowns, Harrison simply hasn’t put up the numbers expected of him – except perhaps for results.

Instead, it was Brian Thomas Jr. (1,088 yards) and Brock Bowers (1,067) among the rookie pass catchers.

A big reason Harrison isn’t part of the 1,000-yard club or has a few more touchdowns is his connection to quarterback Kyler Murray.

While the two made some impressive shots here and there, they missed numerous opportunities throughout the year due to miscommunication.

It wasn’t just Murray’s fault, as Harrison struggled to catch his fair share of contested catches, but their chemistry could use some longer reps going forward.

Is Marvin Harrison Jr. surprised about his connection to Kyler Murray?

“To be surprised, you have to have expectations. I came in with an open mind.

“I just want to go out there and do my best. He’s doing his best. We will get better.” pic.twitter.com/XKyCc7RIwu

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) December 26, 2024

“I just want to go out there and do my best. He’s doing his best. We’ll be better,” Harrison said.

“Whatever we have to do to figure it out, I’m sure we can do it,” he added.

Marvin Harrison Jr.’s message from dad

Aside from his resources within the Cardinals organization, Harrison has a great outlet to capitalize on in his father and Hall of Famer, Marvin Harrison Sr.

Long before Harrison got the gold jacket, he experienced his own rollercoaster ride as a rookie in 1996.

Much like his son, Harrison struggled to find consistency in his first year with the 9-7 Indianapolis Colts.

His 64 catches, 836 receiving yards and eight scores, coupled with just two 100-yard performances, paint a similar picture to what the younger Harrison is experiencing.

The rest is history for the senior, who posted 1,000-yard and double-digit scoring seasons from 1999-06.

So if anyone has any advice on how to bounce back after a slow start in the NFL, Harrison is probably at or near the top of the list.

“It’s part of it, part of the sport, part of being a rookie and transitioning from the college to the pro level. Always keep your head,” Harrison said of his father’s advice this rookie year.

Still blessed

The ups and downs of Harrison’s rookie season were evident.

Despite the ups and downs of 2024, he doesn’t want to do anything else.

“It was a blessing. “It really is,” Harrison said, reflecting on the entire year. “Sometimes you have to take a step back and just realize what you have an opportunity to do. I get the chance to do something I love every day.

“I just have to be grateful that you get the chance to play this game that you love and stay healthy.”

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