Cardinals sign first-round draft pick Marvin Harrison, rookie contract details revealed

The Arizona Cardinals have signed first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. to his rookie contract nearly a month after the draft. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Harrison’s contract is fully guaranteed and worth $35.37 million with a $22.5 million signing bonus. Harrison signed a four-year deal with a team option for a fifth season in 2028.

“It’s my first job,” Harrison said after signing the contract, per AZCardinals.com. “Ever since I got here I’ve been telling people I’m going to work — it’s not practice anymore.”

Harrison was selected No. 4 overall by the Cardinals in April after having a stellar college career at Ohio State. He is the highest draft choice to sign, with the quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye still in contract talks. Harrison is expected to be the top weapon for quarterback Kyler Murray.

“All the guys around, offense and defense, have done a great job welcoming me,” Harrison said. “I’m excited to go out there, earn the trust of my teammates, and earn a role any way I can.”

Harrison was arguably the best wide receiver in the country last season. He won the Biletnikoff Award in 2023 after catching 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. Harrison is a two-time All-American and was Heisman Trophy finalist last year.

Football is in Harrison’s blood as his father, Marvin Harrison, is a Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver. Before the draft, the younger Harrison revealed the best advice he received from his father when it comes to the NFL.

“Just be yourself,” the younger Harrison said. “When you meet the team, the coaches, the GM, just be yourself. Try to get a feel for who you are, so the best you can do for yourself.”

Cardinals general manager explains why team drafted Marvin Harrison Jr.

After selecting Harrison, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort explained why the team selected him despite skipping the Combine and Ohio State’s Pro Day. “Yeah, I’d say with Marvin, a unique case. He made the decisions that he made to approach the draft process like he did,” Ossenfort said (via SiriusXM NFL Radio). “But you’re right, we did get a good look at him working out — we had that tape from last year when he ran routes at C.J. Stroud’s pro day, so we did check that box.”

Ossenfort added: “And I think there’s a number of prospects in every draft that don’t check off every box — whether it’s for a medical reason or a personal choice, whatever it is, they may not complete a workout or they may not do everything like everybody else does. So, it wasn’t the first time that we’ve had to complete an evaluation on a player without every box filled and it’s certainly not going to be the last.”