Although Marvin Harrison Jr. didn't get off to the start many expected as a rookie, quarterback Kyler Murray is certain the wideout can reach his full potential as their chemistry improves.
"For him to have eight touchdowns and feel like he didn't even scratch the surface, that's saying something," Murray told Arizona Sports’ Cardinals Corner this week. "Obviously, me and him have to be better and we will be better. But I loved where he was mentally at the end of the season. Being more open, being more comfortable with the guys in the locker room, being more comfortable with me, being more comfortable just to speak his mind within the receiving room with (quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork and passing game coordinator Drew Terrell)."
Harrison's rookie campaign got off to a rocky start in his NFL debut versus Buffalo. The Bills held him to one catch for four yards on three targets. However, the next week, Harrison exploded against the Los Angeles Rams for one of his best games as a pro. He totaled four catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Although he added a TD catch in each of his next two games, his trajectory from Week 2 was by no means a straight line the rest of the way. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Harrison led Arizona's WR corps in targets (116), receptions (62), receiving yards (885) and receiving touchdowns (eight), but he also hit plenty of ruts.
In Week 16, at the end of a five-game stretch during which Harrison caught only one TD and never topped 60 yards in a contest, Murray talked about their connection not being where it needed to be.
Harrison finished off the season with a 96-yard performance the following week and 63 yards and a score in the team's finale.
Now, heading into the QB-WR duo's second year together, Murray understands the process and how their connection can evolve.
"I understand him in the sense of he's got this name and he wants to just come in and prove himself," Murray said. "People say he's not talkative. Well, they would have said I wasn't talkative my rookie year, either, because all I wanted to do was come in and show guys I'm worth where they picked me and who I am.
"So, I understand that part of his personality. But as he gets more comfortable, he's going to continue to grow. I truly believe that."
