NASHVILLE, Tenn -- Texans coach DeMeco Ryans ended his postgame news conference in epic fashion Sunday by telling reporters that Houston had completed a trade for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Texans sent 2027 second- and sixth-round draft picks to the Cardinals for Harrison and a 2027 seventh-round selection, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Ryans' announcement came after Houston defeated the Tennessee Titans 26-3 in a game where quarterback C.J. Stroud went 26 of 34 for 261 passing yards with two total touchdowns (one rushing and one passing).
Harrison and Stroud played together (2021-2022) at Ohio State as the duo were All-Americans in 2022. The Texans' belief is the reunion can turn Harrison into the player many believe he would be coming out as the No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft.
"He [is] a dynamic playmaker," Stroud said. "Somebody who runs great routes, someone who can catch really any ball, and I'm just super excited to get with him. I loved him in college. He's probably the hardest worker I've ever been around in my life."
Harrison is inactive for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions as the trade was being completed. Harrison was not at the Cardinals team meetings Saturday night, sources told ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.
Harrison has five catches on 12 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown through four games this season and was the fifth-most-targeted player on the Cardinals' offense. Tight end Trey McBride, wide receivers Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne, and running back Jeremiyah Love have more targets than Harrison, who was tied with the sixth-most receptions on the team.
Stroud revealed the Texans consulted with him to get background information on Harrison as a person before completing the trade.
"I had some conversations with some different people," Stroud said. "Telling them who he is as a person, as a player, what I liked about him when I played. So I thought our front office did a great job allowing me to be part of it."
Sunday's victory gave the Texans their first win following an 0-4 start after entering the season as Super Bowl contenders. The hope is this victory and the Harrison trade can turn the season around.
Players on both sides of the ball were excited for the trade. Texans defensive end Will Anderson, who had three sacks against the Titans, said, "It's going to be really great to get him into that receiver room."
He added: "Super athletic, dynamic wide receiver, can do a lot. I'm excited to have him here. It's going to be big. I can't wait to see what he does. I know C.J's gonna love it."
Harrison is due $4 million this year and $5.62 million in 2027. He also has a fifth-year option decision coming up this offseason. His $22.5 million signing bonus was already paid by the Cardinals.
ESPN's Josh Weinfuss contributed to this report.