The Cleveland Browns are not trading for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a local reporter confirmed Saturday after receiving direct word on the matter.
Speculation had grown once it became clear Arizona was open to moving the former Ohio State standout. The Browns already feature young wideouts Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, yet still appeared to have room for another playmaker in the group.
Interest intensified when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the Cardinals were finalizing a deal to send Harrison elsewhere. Schefter also noted that Harrison had been told he would sit out Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions while details were settled. Schefter stopped short of naming the acquiring club for the 2024 No. 4 overall selection.
On 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, Browns reporter Nick Pedone quickly addressed the chatter.
“I hate to throw cold water all over this, guys,” Pedone said, “it’s not the Browns. I just got a text, it’s not the Browns. .. I’m sorry, I hate to ruin the fun for us but I did get that text, it came through as we were talking.”
That update closed the door on any Browns involvement and shifted attention back to other clubs that had shown interest in recent weeks.
Harrison’s on-field results have fallen well short of expectations so far in 2026. Through four games he has five receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets, an average of just 21.3 yards per contest.
Those numbers stand in contrast to his first two seasons. As a rookie he caught 62 passes for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2025 he added 41 catches for 608 yards and four scores despite missing time.
Arizona has sought significant draft compensation in discussions. Multiple reports indicated the Cardinals wanted at least a second-round pick along with additional mid-round value before parting with the 24-year-old.
The Houston Texans have remained in the conversation and are viewed as a realistic landing spot. A move there would pair Harrison again with his college quarterback, C.J. Stroud.
The Indianapolis Colts performed due diligence but are not currently engaged in talks, according to reports. Pedone had floated Indianapolis as one possible destination before consensus leaned toward Houston.
The Browns entered the weekend with substantial draft capital, including 11 selections in the 2027 draft and two first-round picks following the Myles Garrett trade. That stockpile had fueled outside talk that Cleveland could meet any asking price.
Harrison is due roughly $4 million in cash this season under his rookie deal and carries a cap charge near $9.6 million. A fifth-year option decision looms after the campaign, adding urgency for any team that acquires him.
No deal will be completed until after Sunday’s games conclude. The sides involved prefer to keep the destination private until both clubs finish their Week 5 contests.
