Head coach Mike LaFleur reveals why Cardinals traded Marvin Harrison Jr. originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cardinals-Marvin Harrison Jr. partnership ended abruptly.
Arizona's head coach, Mike LaFleur, has answers why it went down the way it did.
After selection Harrison fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cardinals thought they had a franchise cornerstone.
Instead, they traded him to the Texans a couple of years later for a second-round pick and a sixth-round pick. Arizona sent Harrison and a seventh-rounder to Houston.
LaFleur was asked why his team made the decision and he had a blunt response.
Mike LaFleur explains why Cardinals traded Marvin Harrison Jr.
Theo Mackie of AZCentral reported LaFleur's explanation of the trade.
"We just thought it was in the best interest of the club."
"Any guy that does not play to the level I feel like they're capable of, I'm always gonna put that on me and coaching in general," LaFleur added.
It's a sharp response to a situation that was clearly deteriorating over time. LaFleur was asked if he thought Harrison wanted to be in Arizona.
"I'm not gonna answer for Marv," LaFleur said.
It's smart answers from the head coach to keep headlines at a minimum.
But it's revealing that LaFleur didn't say something about the value of what they got back. It sounds like Arizona just wanted to get out of the Marv business.
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When asked about the decision and how the team came to this point, LaFleur was even more blunt.
"I'm gonna keep the details tight."
The Cardinals just extended wide receiver Michael Wilson a few weeks ago. Trey McBride is arguably the best tight end in the league. They don't need Marvin Harrison Jr., but it's unfortunate they had to cut ties with a top-five draft choice so early in his career.
LaFleur and the Cards will have to hope this move is truly in the best interest of their team.
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