Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator says Marvin Harrison Jr. has to earn his role

Given what Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has learned through the NFL draft process, he is excited to work with rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

General manager Monti Ossenfort told Harrison on draft day that the team's top pick has three jobs: get open, catch the ball and "help us win a lot of games." That starts in the coming days when Harrison gets to work in the offseason learning Petzing's offense and building chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray.

"We gotta get out on the practice field and watch him move around and see what he does well, and make sure we're trying to utilize the best of his abilities to operate our offense at a high level," Petzing said Tuesday. "I don't think that's going to change with him as with anyone else that walks into the building."

How Harrison is deployed on offense will depend on where he fits best and what he's capable of. Nothing has been already defined, Petzing said.

Treating Harrison like all of the other rookies, in the sense that they all have to earn their spot and playing time, is the approach the Cardinals are taking.

"In my opinion, he has to be like everyone else if he's going to be the best version of himself," Petzing said." They way that he comes in and approaches his job, the way that he goes out there and practices, the way that he integrates himself into the team, if he's going to be the best version of himself, I think those are the things he has to focus on. And that's certainly what we're going to emphasize."

Petzing stressed that rookie roles have yet to be defined. Harrison seems to already understand that he will have to earn his playing time and status.

"I have high standards for myself, but I’m just going to go in there and try to work the best I can," Harrison said last week on the day he first saw the Cardinals facility. "I just want to help the team win, really, so whatever role I play come September, I’m just going to do my best to do that role."

Collins' option not picked up

Ossenfort told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Tuesday afternoon that the Cardinals will not be picking up the fifth-year option on the contract of outside linebacker Zaven Collins, which means Collins can become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Collins moved outside to start last season and had 3½ sacks, but went from 63 solo tackles in 2022 to 27 last season. He started all 17 games and had an interception and a fumble recovery.

Roster move

After selecting 12 players in the draft and signing three other undrafted players, the Cardinals released wide receiver Kaden Davis and defensive back Quavian White on Tuesday. Both spent time on the practice squad last season.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: No special treatment from Cardinals for rookie Marvin Harrison Jr.