Should Steelers Pursue Marvin Harrison Jr?
p/c: Matthew Huang
Jason Shetler
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a surprising splash prior to last season, acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks.
Given the expectations, Metcalf largely underperformed in 2025. Aside from on field performance, the former Pro Bowl receiver was given a two-game suspension, for a fan incident at Ford Field, which nearly cost the Steelers a trip to the playoffs.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan wasted no time addressing a key need during the first day of the NFL free agency period this past March, as he traded for Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman.
The wide receiving group as a whole for Pittsburgh hasn’t been strong in the early part of the season. Metcalf, who’s $33 million AAV is seventh most among receivers in the league, continues to be inconsistent, while Pittman has practically been damaged goods, since arriving to the Steelers - dealing with a foot injury going back to the start of training camp. Roman Wilson is making strides; albeit slightly. And Germie Bernard has shown flashes as a rookie, in limited action.
Regarding the foot issue with Pittman, head coach Mike McCarthy on Thursday confirmed that Pittman will be out multiple weeks. While not official, the diagnosis of Pittman’s foot could be plantar fasciitis, which may require an IR stint.
Over the past few weeks, there have been rumors of the Arizona Cardinals placing Marvin Harrison Jr. on the trade block. Should the Steelers entertain the idea?
The son of Hall of Fame Colts wide receiver, Marvin Harrison, the younger Harrison put up ridiculous numbers at Ohio State, where he was named the Biletnikoff award winner and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Arizona selected Harrison with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Harrison posted impressive numbers as a rookie with the Cardinals in ‘24, recording 885 yards receiving on 62 catches, along with eight touchdown receptions.
Since then, Harrison’s production has taken a dip, and it’s been painful to begin 2026, with just five catches for 85 yards and one touchdown in four games.
The Cardinals are in rebuilding mode, so it wouldn’t be a surprise for them to see what type of offers they could fetch for the former first rounder.
A team that trades for Harrison would not only have his services for the rest of this season, but next year as well.
The Steelers will likely find themselves in a wide open AFC playoff race, given how many teams have struggled in the early going, which might give them more of a reason to add to the offense, especially since it’s Aaron Rodgers’ final season.
A Harrison trade will depend on the severity of the Pittman injury. If it continues to linger, then getting Harrison makes sense.
The question then becomes what would Omar Khan give up to obtain Harrison?
Towards the end of preseason, the Steelers received a 2027 third round draft pick from the Dallas Cowboys, as part of the Broderick Jones deal. Perhaps Pittsburgh can use that pick, which likely will be a late third, to flip to Arizona for Harrison, which could provide him a fresh perspective and change of scenery.