Cardinals legend willing to mentor Marvin Harrison Jr. after inconsistent rookie season

Perhaps the biggest storyline hovering over the Arizona Cardinals heading into training camp involves questions about whether or not wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will enjoy a breakout second pro season after the fourth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft endured somewhat of a disappointing rookie campaign. 

While speaking at a charity softball game hosted by Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray over the weekend, former Cardinals receiver and franchise legend Larry Fitzgerald shared he's willing to mentor Harrison Jr. after the two have spoken with each other "five or six times" since the spring of 2024. 

"If he ever needs anything, I told him, I'm always available for him any way I can be helpful," Fitzgerald said about Harrison Jr., per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. "But fortunately, he has a father who was a heck of a lot better than I was, so he can tap into him whenever he likes."

Fitzgerald was referencing Marvin Harrison, the Indianapolis Colts icon who is a Hall of Famer and is widely viewed as an all-time great receiver. That said, Bobby Kownack of the NFL's website noted that Fitzgerald was second all-time in regular-season receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492) when he stopped playing following the 2020 campaign. Fitzgerald featured only for the Cardinals during his Hall of Fame career that began when Arizona made him a first-round draft pick back in 2004. 

As for Harrison Jr., Pro Football Reference stats show he ended this past season fifth among rookies with 62 receptions and 885 receiving yards. However, he also led the 2024 Cardinals with eight touchdown catches. 

Earlier this offseason, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort suggested that some members of the NFL community had "unrealistic expectations" for Harrison Jr. when they named him a top candidate to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year Award honors last summer. Fitzgerald is among those who are convinced the best is yet to come from the 22-year-old. 

"I saw a guy who made a lot of plays," Fitzgerald added about Arizona's No. 1 receiver. "He did a really good job. When the ball came to him, he made his plays. He's only gonna continue to get better, so I'm excited to see his Year 2."

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon previously hinted he thinks Harrison Jr. can make a "huge jump" during the upcoming season. Perhaps Harrison Jr. should have more than a couple of conversations with Fitzgerald over the next handful of months in an attempt to ultimately silence those who are wondering if the young wideout will become a superstar while on his inexpensive rookie contract.