Why the Arizona Cardinals should trade Marvin Harrison Jr., unless...
I don't like to say it, but for the reasons I will provide in this blog, I believe the Cardinals should trade Marvin Harrison Jr., unless...
The Cardinals likely won't, however, because Michael Bidwill never seems to have the capacity to look forward in anticipation, as to, in this case, what the MHJ situation in Arizona is about to become.
And please allow me to preface this by saying that I believe Marvin Jr. is not at the center of why the Cardinals should trade him ---
By now I think we all know who is. Correct?
Here is what we can expect:
1. There is no way imaginable that Marvin Sr. is ever going to accept his son being employed and designated as a WR2.
2. The vitriol that Marvin Sr. is going to continue to spew on the Cardinals is going to be a PR-damaging albatross around the neck of the organization and will remain a complete distraction for the football team.
3. After next year, Marvin Sr. is going to demand that his son's rookie contract be ripped up and replaced by a Top 5 WR contract in the neighborhood of $35-$40M a year.
4. Under no circumstances will Marvin Sr. accept a 5th year option designation from the Cardinals.
What these predicable outcomes essentially will do --- is put Michael Bidwill in the same dubious Scylla and Charybdis position he was mired in during the Kyler Murray drama of cryptic messages and ransom notes --- yet Bidwill will be overwhelmed once again by the fans' hue and cry that the owner must give MHJ his bag because "there is no other choice."
This is the thing with Cardinals' fans --- once they get their tenterhooks into players whom they idolize, place on pedestals and deem as "generational talents," they don't ever let go, either out of a sense of desperation or their overwhelming desire to feel justifiably vindicated for their lofty expectations.
The other key factor in all of this is that after next year, the Cardinals are going to have to pay Michael Wilson or take the risk of letting him test free agency.
While one may imagine that M-Willy's contract demands won't be nearly as excessive as MHJ's, could the Cardinals afford to pay north of $60M a year to keep both Wilson and Marvin Jr.?
Lastly, the pressure that Marvin Sr. has put on his son during his transition from Ohio St, into the NFL has been, and will continue to be oppressive and at times, suffocating for Marvin Jr.
It is clear, at least to this fan, that Marvin Jr. is a bundle of nerves, both in terms of feeling the pressure to produce eye-popping stats every time he walks out on the field in an attempt to walk in his dad's Yeti-sized footprints, while, on the other hand, feeling the supreme awkwardness of knowing that his dad does not always speak for him.
It's as simple as this --- Marvin Jr. is the Cardinals' #3 receiving option right now behind Trey McBride and Michael Wilson.
Marvin Sr. will only accept a scenario where his son is #1.
In the meantime, expect more of this:
It's tough to watch a failed rebuild like this, especially because you get to a point where guys you're supposed to build around start to get to second contracts... and you haven't even seen success with them on rookie deals before they start eating up the cap! Another big name that is a year closer is Paris Johnson Jr., already talking about wanting to be a $40mil/year tackle. Can't fault the players for wanting to be paid, but we're wasting early contract years and we still don't even have a clear path forward for this team.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, getting rid of top talent doesn't do you any real favors in a rebuild, especially when you don't draft as well as other teams in the division. Holding onto Zach Allen and Byron Murphy probably would not have changed things dramatically, but we've spent a lot of free agent $$$ and draft capital we could have saved by paying them.
Was PJJ already talking about $40M? How did I miss that?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47101026/arizona-cardinals-paris-johnson-leader
DeleteIt wasn't a "demand," more just aspirational, but the writing is on the wall that it's going to come time to pay him and it's coming up quickly!
Walt- what do you think Cards could get for MHJ in a trade this offseason?
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Mickster65. Most likely a 2nd round pick or a player-for-player swap, like MHJ for Brian Thomas.
DeleteIMO, MHS will not want MHJ to re-sign with Cardinals he will advise MHJ to test FA to get with a winning football team.
ReplyDeleteSee what the off season brings. A new coaching staff or coordinator could breath life into offensive scheme. Look what Jaxon Smith Jigba is doing in Seattle with Kubiak. We have the weapons we need somebody that knows how to use them
ReplyDeleteThis problem goes away if the Cardinals fix their passing game and MHJ starts performing up to his potential. Selling MHJ at a low just so he can go succeed on another team would be the ultimate Cardinal move.
ReplyDeleteI also think that trading MHJ just because his dad/agent is upset is in many ways making the exact same mistake the Cardinals made when they caved to Kyler's agent. I say like MHS make a fuss. Don't let the franchise be manipulated by outside voices. That's the exact opposite of what good teams do.
Delete“Selling MHJ at a low just so he can go succeed on another team would be the ultimate Cardinal move.”
DeleteThat is truly the Cardinal Way! Great comment that sums up this failed organization.
Anyone go back 50yrs and look at how many #1/1st round picks have succeeded as a Cardinal? Effing pathetic!