Pittsburgh Steelers fans hoping for a splashy addition at wide receiver can put those thoughts aside.
Veteran Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly stated Sunday morning that Arizona Cardinals wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. will not be heading to Pittsburgh once his impending trade is completed.
Kaboly indicated the deal is expected to become official later Sunday or on Monday, closing the door on any last-minute interest from the Steelers.
The speculation around Harrison and Pittsburgh intensified after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the Cardinals were finalizing a trade of the former fourth overall pick.
Schefter noted that Harrison had been informed he would be inactive for Arizona’s Sunday game against the Detroit Lions while the details were sorted out. With starting receiver Michael Pittman Jr. placed on injured reserve and expected to miss several weeks, some observers briefly linked the Steelers to the 24-year-old receiver.
Pittsburgh has shown a willingness to add veteran pass-catchers in recent years, including deals for D.K. Metcalf, Pittman, and Mike Williams.
Still, the reported asking price for Harrison—initially framed around a first-round pick before settling closer to a second-round selection plus additional compensation—made the fit unlikely from the start.
Throughout Saturday, reporting increasingly pointed toward the Houston Texans as the most probable destination. Multiple league sources suggested Houston was in active discussions with Arizona, a move that would reunite Harrison with his former Ohio State quarterback, C.J. Stroud.
By Sunday, Kaboly’s direct report that Harrison is not coming to the Steelers effectively ended any remaining chatter about a Pittsburgh connection.
The Steelers are instead expected to rely on younger options such as Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard to fill the gap left by Pittman while preserving their draft capital.
Harrison’s production has fallen well short of the expectations that accompanied his high draft status. After recording 62 catches for 885 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, he has been limited to five receptions for 85 yards and one score through four games this season.
Teammates Michael Wilson and tight end Trey McBride have taken on larger roles in the Cardinals’ passing attack. Arizona’s decision to move him now, ahead of the November 10 trade deadline, appears driven by a desire to secure meaningful draft compensation while Harrison still has years of team control remaining on his rookie contract.
For the Steelers, the outcome avoids a costly gamble on a player whose early returns have been modest.
Both Pittsburgh and Arizona enter their respective Week 5 contests at 2-2, with the Steelers hosting the Indianapolis Colts and the Cardinals facing the Lions.
Once the Harrison trade is formally announced, attention will shift to how Houston integrates the receiver alongside Stroud and whether Arizona’s return proves sufficient for a prospect once viewed as a potential cornerstone.
