The Houston Texans are betting that a familiar connection can help Marvin Harrison Jr. get his NFL career back on track. After finalizing a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for the former No. 4 overall pick, Houston is reuniting the struggling wide receiver with quarterback C.J. Stroud, and one eye-opening statistic shows why the move makes sense.

According to John Todd on X, Harrison caught more touchdown passes from Stroud at Ohio State in 2022 alone (14) than he has recorded across his three NFL seasons with Arizona (13). That production came when the two were teammates in Columbus, where Harrison established himself as one of college football's most dangerous receiving threats.

Marvin Harrison Jr had more receiving touchdowns from CJ Stroud in 2022 alone at @OhioStateFB (14) than he has in his three NFL seasons combined (13)#HTownMade https://t.co/6KmDcaiDh3

— John Todd (@JohnToddNFL) October 12, 2026

Harrison entered the NFL with enormous expectations, in part because of his Hall of Fame father's legacy and his own impressive college career. However, the former first-round pick has struggled to deliver consistent production with the Cardinals. He finished his first two seasons with 103 receptions, 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns before managing just five catches for 85 yards and a score through Arizona's first four games of 2026.

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Houston is giving Harrison an opportunity to reset his career with a quarterback who already knows how to get the best out of him. The Texans also desperately need help at receiver after Jayden Higgins suffered a season-ending injury, while Tank Dell remains sidelined and Nico Collins has dealt with injuries. Houston previously traded for Kayshon Boutte, making Harrison its second receiver acquisition via trade this season.

The Texans are investing valuable draft capital in Harrison, but the potential payoff is clear. If Stroud and Harrison can recreate even a portion of their Ohio State chemistry, Houston could turn a disappointing NFL story into a much-needed offensive boost.