Former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has seen it all. Seventeen seasons in the NFL and some of the biggest moments as a Cardinal. Now, he’s watching Marvin Harrison Jr. take steps in the league. But here’s the thing: it’s a pressure cooker out there, especially for a young wideout in his second NFL season with sky-high expectations. Fitzgerald knows this world, and his advice for Harrison is sharp and simple: be your own critic.

Appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, Larry Fitzgerald was asked if Harrison is pushing himself a bit too much. But as Fitzgerald sees it, that’s the only way to make a splash in the league, and he’s all for it. That grit? It’s what separates the good from the great.

“You got to be your own biggest critic,” said Fitzgerald. “When you’re in studio and you don’t perform to a level that you know you’re capable of… people could tell you that, but doesn’t matter to anybody as much as it matters to you. And I love that quality. I love that trait. You need to be your biggest critic, and your best has to be what you expect of yourself every single day when you step on that field. And I admire that about him that he’s not going to settle. And he wants to be the best.” What’s at stake here?

The Cardinals see Marvin as the future cornerstone of their offense. Drafted fourth overall in 2024, he entered the league with big shoes to fill. Not just because of his Hall of Famer dad, but because the team needs him to be a game-changer. His rookie year? A mixed bag. Plenty of highlights, but also those frustrating drops and rookie jitters the league knows all too well. Still, the upside is real.

Last season saw Marvin make 62 out of 116 catches, and he hauled in 885 yards and 8 touchdowns. This season’s numbers certainly sparked the hope. Across 6 games, Marvin made 22 catches from 34 targets and two scores. His 338 yards so far are already an improvement from last season’s stats, and it’s this refusal to settle that Larry Fitzgerald sees and hypes up. It’s validation that Marvin Harrison Jr. is focused on growth, not shortcuts.

But then there’s the reality check. The pressure Larry talked about? Marvin’s dealing with it on two fronts now: performance, as well as recovery.

Marvin Harrison Jr.’s injury and the Cardinals’ shaky offense

Marvin Harrison Jr. took a hit in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts and suffered a concussion. After making a fabulous 21-yard catch in the second quarter, Harrison’s head hit the turf. This wasn’t just a routine knock. It was his second NFL concussion, and it forced him out of a crucial game right in the home stadium of his dad’s old team. Coming out of the concussion protocol isn’t quick or easy, and the Cardinals have to manage his playing time carefully now. 

With Harrison out of the Week 6 game, it was up to wideout Zay Jones to revive momentum. But now, the Cardinals are on shaky ground offensively. Jones missed the Wednesday and Thursday practices (15 & 16th Oct.) with a knee injury. Running back Emari Demercado was also missing with an ankle injury. Add quarterback Kyler Murray’s foot injury, still keeping him questionable after missing Week 6. Still, Harrison’s injury history is some cause for optimism.

Harrison’s last concussion also notably came in Week 6 of the 2024 season. While he was taken out of that game, he returned the next week. For now, Harrison is still navigating the concussion protocol. But will he stick to last year’s record and make a comeback for the Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers? No doubt, the Cardinals are watching closely. And so are we.