TEMPE — No, one game is not enough when it comes to truly identifying the improved Kyler Murray-Marvin Harrison Jr. connection.
But it was one heck of a start to the year.
Linking up for five catches, 71 yards and a touchdown, the duo paced the receiving game for Arizona in Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints. That included a 45-yard snag and a massive third-down pickup late in the game. Harrison also drew a defensive pass interference call early into the action.
For head coach Jonathan Gannon, three intangibles showed up throughout their performance:
– Efficiency
– Productiveness
– Explosiveness
It wasn’t just what Harrison was doing with the ball in his hands, either.
“One game is not enough. We got to keep doing a good job with it, but I liked where it was at,” Gannon said Monday. “I know everyone’s talking about the go ball, the explosive pass that led to his touchdown down there, but the (late third-down catch) was the biggest play from Marv for me. We’re backed up and it looks a lot different kicking backed up with however much time we ended up chewing off.
“Then there were other times where Marvin didn’t get the ball where I liked what he was doing. The passing game’s going to go through (tight end Trey McBride) and No. 18. The role players need to get involved and do a good job, which they did. … They’ll make their hay when it’s time, but with our premier playmakers, we’ve got to make sure that’s on point. I thought it was.”
“You could feel his confidence and how comfortable he was on the field.”
Kyler Murray on his Week 1 connection with Marvin Harrison Jr. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/enfjJE0IhM
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 10, 2025
You can add two more intangibles to the list when it comes to Harrison and Murray, too:
– Confidence
– Trust
“I thought he played really well. You could feel his confidence and how comfortable he was on the field,” Murray said Wednesday. “I don’t think there was any negative that I could say about him and how he played. … I thought he did well.”
And based off of last week’s results in Jacksonville, the duo will have their work cut out for them.
Giving up just one passing touchdown in the 26-10 loss to the Jaguars, the Carolina Panthers defense ranked eighth in completion percentage allowed (61.3%).
The Panthers also kept the Jaguars pass catchers at bay — notably phenom Brian Thomas Jr. — with tight end Brenton Strange leading the way with four catches for 59 yards.
Now, Jacksonville went heavy on the ground behind running back Travis Etienne, who ripped off 143 yards on 16 carries. A 71-yarder played a big role in his totals, but it’s something to keep in mind, especially with what James Conner did against the Panthers last year.
For the improved connection, this marks a solid second test for Murray and Harrison.