Marvin Harrison Jr. and Roger Goodell (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Fanatics’ lawsuit against Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has taken an interesting twist.

Last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Fanatics is suing Marvin Harrison Jr. for breaching his contract. Fanatics claimed that Harrison Jr. signed a contract last year worth seven figures, while his side says they never agreed to a deal.

In an update, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Harrison Jr. has officially signed his rookie contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Because of this, his jersey can now be sold, per the NFL’pa’s licensing agreement.

Harrison Jr., the son of Indianapolis Colts legend and Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, was drafted fourth overall by the Cardinals. He was the first non-QB selected, behind Caleb Williams (first overall to the Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (second to the Washington Commanders) and Drake Maye (third to the New England Patriots).

In his final season with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Marvin Harrison Jr. hauled in 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. The year before, Harrison Jr. racked up 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Arizona will open their 2024 season with a road contest against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 8. A week later, the Cardinals will travel back to The Desert to welcome the Los Angeles Rams in their home opener.

Marvin Harrison Jr. Should Go Off As A Rookie

Regarded by many as a generational wide receiver prospect, Harrison Jr. is in a good spot to produce early and often in Arizona.

Outside of third-year tight end Trey McBride, quarterback Kyler Murray lacked reliable pass-catchers in 2023. But Harrison Jr. will immediately slot in as the go-to part of this offense, and Murray’s ability to scramble and extend plays will help the Ohio State light up the scoreboard.

With Murry, Harrison Jr., McBride and running back James Conner leading the way, Arizona has the star power to produce a top-10 offense next season.

Kevin Byard Reveals His Conversations With Caleb Williams

Safety Kevin Byard has explained how he encouraged the rookie quarterback following his poor spell.

“I said something to him at the end of practice: Keep going, we’re gonna keep making you better,” Byard said, per NBC Sports Chicago. “Not necessarily saying that he had a terrible day, but like days like this are gonna make you better. So that’s our job, and like I said, obviously, just the first three days of practice, he’s done a lot of positive things. He’s made some really great throws. Just coming in with that swag as a rookie quarterback, he doesn’t seem flustered by anything, so that’s exciting to see.”

Byard added that Williams and the offense had beaten the defense earlier in the week and he wants his QB to remain consistent no matter who wins in practice.

“Sometimes it’s going to be back and forth, and that’s how the season is going to be, week to week,” he remarked. “Every week is not going to be great. Some weeks, we’re going to have to do a two-minute drill; he’s going to have to go win us a game. Some weeks, we’re going to blow people out. Sometimes it’s not going to be like that.

“So I would just kind of tell him, like, hey, days like this, just keep fighting, keep going, watch the film, get better. And that’s for everyone on the team. Everything is not going to be peaches and cream. You know what I’m saying? But like I like his confidence and he kind of just looked me straight in the eye and said ‘of course I will,’ and that was good to see.”

Caleb Williams would do well not to get his head down. He’s clearly one of the most talented quarterbacks to come out of college in recent years and will get better.

He just has to keep working.